Back on topic, now; getting bored by Canadian lack of interest.
On the topic of possible alternatives to democratic systems and capitalism currently in place, from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s, New Zealand went from being the most heavily regulated democratic society in the world, "Fortress New Zealand" as it was dubbed, to a free market economy. After Rob Muldoon became Prime Minister in 1975, he introduced a cradle-to-the-grave welfare system that ensured that the ordinary New Zealander would have their own home on a quarter acre section of land, a car and a good income. He almost succeeded. His policies didn't really support the natives, who still largely lived in poverty and could neither read nor write.
Nevertheless, New Zealand became, according to one political commentator, the closest that any western democracy came to being a Socialist Utopia, despite Muldoon's party being classified as 'centre-right'. Every aspect of life was strictly controlled by government legistlation; from interest rates to what could be bought and sold in the local corner shop. If you wanted to buy a house or set up a business, or even go overseas, you had to apply for a licence to do so. The Bureaucracy structure was enormous and constituted the largest manpower organisation of the government. I remember as a youngster being in awe of the fact that one of the kids in my class had been overseas. This was not a common thing in the 1970s.
New Zealand's import/export status was not viewed very highly around the world, although it was the biggest exporter of beef and dairy products to Britain until that country became part of the EEC, which caused an enormous backlash, especially in rural communities. Few countries wished to trade with NZ because of its closed market policy. This meant that inward goods were few and far between; New Zealanders had to settle for home made imitations of foreign goods, like radios, tvs etc. Things like parmesan cheese and salami were unheard of. The most exotic way to eat was macaroni cheese and Chinese takeaways.
Muldoon, being Finance Minister decided the interest rates, which created rampant inflation. Because the economy was at the whim of Muldoon and not the common market, essential industries, such as agriculture and forestry were heavily subsidised. The problem was, the country was going bankrupt. In 1983 the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said that the money had run out and no one was going to lend us anymore. That year Muldoon called a snap election over the nuclear free NZ issue, which he did not support, despite some in his party who did (Marilyn Waring, the woman who defied the Prime Minister and by doing so sparked the biggest political overhaul in our history). Always a man who presumed he connected with the average NZer, although he really hadn't a clue, his party lost by a land slide.
David Lange's Labour party introduced a series of wide ranging and some say crippling policies, which dragged the country, kicking and screaming into the world markets. Sadly, the social outcome of these sweeping changes were apalling and many lost their jobs and small communities relying on state funded subsidies for their prime industries (forestry et al) evaporated almost overnight, as their citizens moved to the cities for work. Naturally, the money markets experienced a boom due to the fact that business found itself with an excess of cash and the ability to buy and sell abroad, which they never had before. it all came crashing down in the 1987 stock market crash. My parents lost a lot of money and we moved to Australia.
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If a referendum was held to reject the Monarchy in Canada, I'm not at all sure the House of Windsor would prevail. 
