British Columbia has long been a source of fascination to politicalobservers. Canadian socialism sank its earliest and deepest rootsthere, and it is one of only three provinces where the New DemocraticParty has formed the government. It is one of only two provinces whereSocial Credit has governed and the only one in which the party stillcommands significant support.
Provincial peculiarities have affected federal politics too --British Columbia has come closer than any province to effecting acomplete separation of federal and provincial party systems. This bookpresents a detailed look at the inhabitants of these two politicalworlds. It traces the evolution of the two party systems and analyzesthe behaviour of the voters who participate in them.
A fascinating look at the way British Columbians are influenced in their voting by both the parties themselves and the relationship between the federal and provincial wings or groups.
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Politics on the Pacific
3. The Modern Provincial Party System / Donald E. Blake, RichardJohnston, and David J. Elkins
4. British Columbia as a State of Mind / David J.Elkins
5. The Imperatives of Social Class
6. The Context of Partisanship
7. Allegiance and Discontent in British Columbia
8. The Federal Connection
9. The B.C. Voter in Perspective
10. Conclusion: The Two Worlds of the B.C. Voter
Appendix
Notes
Index
