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.
Stewart has written a book that is going to make teachers and students of Canadian history -- ultimately that is all of us -- think about Canada, its government and its politics in new and different ways.
Stewart has shown that Canadian politics, from the early European settlements to the present day, have been shaped by some very definite ideas, forces and events. In his concise, very readable, and thoughtful book he has gone some distance toward explaining these forces. Anyone interested in understanding some of the unique features of the Canadian system would profit from reading this book.
There is always room for a fresh analysis, a new approach to an old problem, especially when it comes from a thoughtful outside observer. This is what Gordon Stewart provides in The Origins of Canadian Politics ... a useful and very readable contribution to Canadian political history.
Preface
Chronology
Introduction
1. The Background: England, America and Canada, 1688-1828
2. Instability, 1828-1864
3. Stability, 1864-1914
4. Conclusions and Consequences
Notes
Bibliography
Index
