> >I think you folks make a mistake by equating "liberal = pro-metric" > >and "conservative = anti-metric." While there may be some weak > >correlation at the extreme anti-metric end (meaning that rabid > >anti-metricationists may generally be nationalistic which may mean > >politically conservative), in general I doubt there is much > >correlation at all. > > Jim, we certainly appreciate that QSI employees can be both > pro-metric and conservative. > > However, looking at the history of metrication in France and other > countries, a slightly significant tendency might be derived, where > "left" or "liberal" governments are more in favor of metrication than > "right" or "conservative" ones. > > Some examples : > > - whilst prepared by some scientists in preceding centuries, metric > system was developed in France during the revolutionary period from > 1790 on. In principle those in command at that time could not be > qualified as "conservatives"! > > - metric system was adopted by Russia and China as soon as their > people's republics were established > > - in Canada metrication did progress under Liberal Trudeau and > suffered sever setbacks under Conservative Mulroney.
Mulroney did put the brakes on metrication. But we're now under the our Liberal government in a row, and they haven't released those brakes, or pushed Canada's metrication to completion. Typically Canadian, we sit in the middle, halfway between two systems. > > - in the USA progresses in metrication were significant under Carter > (D) but halted under Reagan (R). Similarly, in Britain, Margaret Thatcher and most other Tories are definitely pro-IFP. And yet, George Bush (the elder) signed pro-metric legislation, while Bill Clinton didn't do all that much to advance metrication. > - in UK metrication process was initiated under Clement Attlee (Labour). > > I agree, these are just examples and many exceptions could be found. > But I was told that "right" governments are more reluctant than > "left" ones to introduce measures which are not really supported by > population - which more often than not is the case of metrication. It's not as much that political conservatives are anti-metric. Their feelings tend to be "anti-change". They like stability, and don't like to "rock the boat." Whereas liberals tend to be more open to new ideas. Of course, these are very broad analysis, and not blanket policy. Stephen Gallagher
