Alberta: Separatism Then And Now

What is Alberta Separatism? In December, 2008, the NDP and Liberal Party of Canada attempted to form a coalition with the Bloc Quebecois to replace the minority Conservative government of Stephen Harper. There was outrage in Alberta, which had voted solidly Conservative in the recent federal election. Separatism in the province—dormant for years—was reawakened. But what do we really know about Alberta separatism? The Alberta separatist movement showed strength at times during the 1980s, but the creation of the Reform Party of Canada later redirected separatist sentiment in a federalist direction. The Reform Party is now gone, and as the events of December, 2008, have shown, the potential for a revived Alberta separatist movement is very real. This book explains the history of the movement and the issues that have led to its occasional appearance since the 1970s. Experts Are Saying “Wagner’s book is an excellent and balanced history of separatism in Alberta. The very real factor of separatism in Alberta politics has been long overdue for examination.” Cory Morgan, Former leader of the Alberta Independence Party “Michael Wagner has performed a patriotic service by reminding Albertan (and Westerners) of what academics call a suppressed discourse. In this case it concerns the great fraud of national unity, which is code for ripping off the west in order to pay off Quebec, and the efforts of Albertans to stop picking up the tab.” Barry Cooper, PhD, FRSC, Professor of Political Science, University of Calgary “This is a story well worth the telling, and well told indeed by a qualified and diligent researcher into the past half century of politics in Canada’s other ‘distinct society’. Apart from its being a tale of intrinsic interest to political junkies of all stripes, it does what Hobbes proclaims all worthwhile political history should do: secretly instruct the reader, conveying practical lessons of lasting importance. Moreover, in tracing out the reasons for the persistent waxings and wanings of separatist sentiment in Alberta, Wagner’s account serves as an expose of how (mainly Liberal) Federal government policies have been designed to exploit the West, and Alberta in particular. This is a book that deserves to be read by every citizen concerned to understand this province’s peculiar politics, and its place in the Canadian federation.” Dr. Leon Craig, Professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Alberta “I’m glad my friend Michael Wagner has documented the rise and fall of that unusual movement, and analyzed the forces which drove it then, and might in some future circumstance drive it again. Perhaps next time will lead to a different outcome.” Link Byfield, Chairman, Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy

2009-04-20T16:57:02-04:00

alberta-separatism-then-and-now 6260592

Books - Softcover

2009-04-20T16:57:02-04:00

Alberta: Separatism Then And Now

2010-01-04T01:00:37-05:00

Michael Wagner Alberta Politics, Alberta Separatism, Western Separatism *What is Alberta Separatism?* In December, 2008, the NDP and Liberal Party of Canada attempted to form a coalition with the Bloc Quebecois to replace the minority Conservative government of Stephen Harper. There was outrage in Alberta, which had voted solidly Conservative in the recent federal election. Separatism in the province—dormant for years—was reawakened. But what do we really know about Alberta separatism? The Alberta separatist movement showed strength at times during the 1980s, but the creation of the Reform Party of Canada later redirected separatist sentiment in a federalist direction. The Reform Party is now gone, and as the events of December, 2008, have shown, the potential for a revived Alberta separatist movement is very real. This book explains the history of the movement and the issues that have led to its occasional appearance since the 1970s. *Experts Are Saying* “Wagner's book is an excellent and balanced history of separatism in Alberta. The very real factor of separatism in Alberta politics has been long overdue for examination.” _Cory Morgan_, Former leader of the Alberta Independence Party “Michael Wagner has performed a patriotic service by reminding Albertan (and Westerners) of what academics call a suppressed discourse. In this case it concerns the great fraud of national unity, which is code for ripping off the west in order to pay off Quebec, and the efforts of Albertans to stop picking up the tab.” _Barry Cooper_, PhD, FRSC, Professor of Political Science, University of Calgary “This is a story well worth the telling, and well told indeed by a qualified and diligent researcher into the past half century of politics in Canada's other 'distinct society'. Apart from its being a tale of intrinsic interest to political junkies of all stripes, it does what Hobbes proclaims all worthwhile political history should do: secretly instruct the reader, conveying practical lessons of lasting importance. Moreover, in tracing out the reasons for the persistent waxings and wanings of separatist sentiment in Alberta, Wagner's account serves as an expose of how (mainly Liberal) Federal government policies have been designed to exploit the West, and Alberta in particular. This is a book that deserves to be read by every citizen concerned to understand this province's peculiar politics, and its place in the Canadian federation.” _Dr. Leon Craig_, Professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Alberta "I’m glad my friend Michael Wagner has documented the rise and fall of that unusual movement, and analyzed the forces which drove it then, and might in some future circumstance drive it again. Perhaps next time will lead to a different outcome." _Link Byfield_, Chairman, Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy

2009-04-20T16:57:02-04:00

manual

274 18111412

shopify

continue

Default 1 21.95

6260592

true

true Default

2010-01-04T00:53:10-05:00

2009-04-20T16:57:05-04:00

12327282 1

6260592

2009-04-20T16:57:05-04:00

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0022/5612/products/alberta_cover.jpg?1268276416