Politics on the Canadian prairies are puzzling. The provinces share common roots, but they have nurtured three distinct political cultures – Alberta is Canada’s bastion of conservatism, Saskatchewan its cradle of social democracy, and Manitoba its progressive centre. Jared Wesley explains this paradox by examining the rhetoric employed by dominant parties to renew their provinces’ political code – freedom for Alberta, security for Saskatchewan, and moderation for Manitoba. Although the content of their campaigns differed, leaders from William Aberhart to Tommy Douglas to Gary Doer have employed distinct codes to ensure their parties’ success and shape their provinces’ political landscapes. 

Jared J. Wesley is associate dean of graduate studies and a professor of political science at the University of Alberta.

Jared J. Wesley's profile page

• Short-listed, Donald Smiley Prize, Canadian Political Science Association
• Commended, The Hill Times List of Top 100 Best Books for 2012

This is a well written book, extensively researched, well thought out and combining an interesting mix of theory and historical-empirical evidence. It speaks intelligently about questions to do with the theory of political culture, socialization, the role of ideas in politics and the nature of qualitative content analysis.

Canadian Journal of Political Science, Vol 45 No 3