ABOUT THIS EPISODE
On this edition of Journal, I would like you to meet a man I have known for a long time: Max Cameron. As a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at UBC, he co-founded the Institute for Future Legislators.
We would often find ourselves on the same panel, not always with the same views, discussing democracy – its failings and its possibilities.
What better time for Max to take a clear eyed look at our current political dysfunction: a US President and some of his cabinet ministers openly ridiculing Canada with their pointed comments, such as suggesting the only way Canada could conduct “war” with the United States would be to take two of our defunct tourist submarines out of the Edmonton mall and sic them on the States.
Furthermore, they keep calling Canada the 51st state and our Prime Minister “Governor.”
While showing remarkable – if not perfect – restraint, Canada has its own internal problems, with two of our provinces talking openly about leaving Canada, and ALL of our provinces maintaining interprovincial trade barriers, despite promises to take down those walls.
Canada also gets very low marks for the abrasive partisanship that rears its ugly head during elections, especially on social media.
And so, Max Cameron has just written a new book on democracy: “Divided we Fall: How We Can Resist Polarizing Pressures and Strengthen Our Identity as Citizens.”
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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.
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