The Origins of Canadian Politics: A Comparative Approach

The conditions of colonial politics in Canada between 1760 and 1848produced features that became permanent landmarks of post-ConfederationCanadian politics -- sharp partisan battles, intense use of patronage,strong one-man dominance in party leadership, and a 'statist'orientation not only in government in Ottawa but also in Ontario andQuebec. In this compelling book Gordon Stewart deals with these topicsin an original way by placing Canadian politics in a comparativecontext against the background of political and constitutionaldevelopments in England and America between 1688 and the1820's. The distinctive features of Canadian politics which emerged at thisearly stage were altered and intensified by Canada's bitter andviolent transition to responsible government. In no other British whitesettlement in the mid-19th century was the transition to responsiblegovernment as dramatic as in Canada. It was characterized byextravagant partisan rhetoric, armed rebellions and the razing of theMontreal parliament buildings. Out of these extraordinary colonialconditions there developed, by the time of Confederation, a type ofCanadian politics that was quite different from the common backgroundin either England or America. By examining the crucial ways in which Canadian colonial politicsdiverged from the American colonial and British patterns, Stewartprovides a new interpretation of the origins of Canadian politicaltraditions. He also gives the first comprehensive analysis of the placeof patronage in Canadian politics. In many respects the book is theCanadian counterpart of Bernard Bailyn's influential work TheOrigins of American Politics. But Stewart also deals withimportant issues raised by recent Canadian scholars about Canada'searly political development. Because the author casts such familiartopics as the coming of responsible government in a completelydifferent light, the book should promote provocative discussion andcontroversy. At the same time, Stewart's illuminating analysis will prove anessential resource for upper undergraduate and graduate history andpolitical science courses and, because of its chronological breadth,survey courses in Canadian history.