Oxford University Press The United States and Canada: How Two Democracies Differ and Why It Matters

Product Description The United States and Canada share the longest border in the world, maintain one of the closest alliances, and are notably similar in many ways. Yet the two countries also have important differences, including sharply contrasting political institutions. In The United States and Canada, Paul J. Quirk has gathered a distinguished cast of contributors to present an integrated comparative examination of the political systems of the United States and Canada-with special attention to the effects of political institutions and their interaction with political values, geographic and demographic factors, and other influences. The volume explores the differences between the American presidential (or separation-of-powers) system and the Canadian parliamentary system-focusing on electoral and party systems, executive leadership and the legislative process, bureaucratic influence, and federalism. It proceeds to examine patterns of governance in a wide range of issue areas: economic policy; climate-change policy; healthcare policy; civil rights/integration and immigration; and abortion and gay rights. A sweeping comparative account, this volume serves as an authoritative guide for anyone interested in why the two countries differ and where they might be headed. Review This volume offers a well-integrated and up-to-date set of insights on politics and policymaking in Canada and the United States, authored by binational teams of outstanding researchers. The authors take seriously the task of not only pointing out similarities and differences between the two countries, but also understanding the causal relationships that underlie those patterns, and differences that are durable and those that are subject to change. Their conclusions will help to inform and guide research in both countries in the era of Trump & Trudeau and beyond. - R. Kent Weaver, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, and Professor of Public Policy and Government, Georgetown University This is an important volume. Each chapter brings together leading scholars on a topic. The topics themselves cover the landscape, from political culture and institutions, to policy making, health care, and the management of diversity. The result is an informative and comprehensive comparison of the two countries. This volume is a perfect starting point for those who want to understand Canada and the United States more deeply and an invaluable for those already engaged in the study of these two countries. - Peter Loewen, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto About the Author Paul J. Quirk is Phil Lind Chair in U.S. Politics and Representation at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of Industry Influence in Federal Regulatory Agencies, The Politics of Deregulation, and Deliberative Choices: Debating Public Policy in Congress.