Royce Koop

Alberta is an economic powerhouse but a misunderstood and overlooked political force. The Dawn of Competitive Party Politics in Alberta examines the province's distinctive party politics, reaching back to before the birth of the province and then focusing on a political evolution over the past two decades. Spurred by populism and alienation, Albertans united behind a centre-right provincial party for much of the twentieth century, while excluding themselves from Liberal-dominated federal politics. In 2006, this dynamic began to shift as the provincial right faltered, fractured, and then re-formed, while the left gained and then lost power but remained united in opposition. The historic pattern of a dynastic conservative bloc surrounded by minor parties was interrupted. The authors convincingly argue that the recent change in provincial party politics may signal the imminent arrival of real competition in both provincial and federal politics, ending Alberta's solitude and shaping the future of Canada.

Members of Parliament (MPs) are often dismissed as “trained seals,” helpless to do anything other than take commands from party leaders. Representation in Action challenges this view of Canadian MPs and shows that the ways they represent their constituents are as diverse as Canada itself. Royce Koop, Heather Bastedo, and Kelly Blidook examine the types of activities Members of Parliament engage in, within their constituencies and in Ottawa, and they systemically determine what accounts for differences in style and agency. Drawing on original observational and interview research with eleven MPs and featuring detailed in-depth case studies, this book shows how MPs develop distinct approaches to the role of representative when addressing policy concerns, assisting constituents with problems, and connecting with those who elect them. The first book to use intensive participant-observation methods to study Canadian MPs and representation, Representation in Action is a compelling portrait of diversity in representational styles.

Members of Parliament (MPs) are often dismissed as “trained seals,” helpless to do anything other than take commands from party leaders. Representation in Action challenges this view of Canadian MPs and shows that the ways they represent their constituents are as diverse as Canada itself. Royce Koop, Heather Bastedo, and Kelly Blidook examine the types of activities Members of Parliament engage in, within their constituencies and in Ottawa, and they systemically determine what accounts for differences in style and agency. Drawing on original observational and interview research with eleven MPs and featuring detailed in-depth case studies, this book shows how MPs develop distinct approaches to the role of representative when addressing policy concerns, assisting constituents with problems, and connecting with those who elect them. The first book to use intensive participant-observation methods to study Canadian MPs and representation, Representation in Action is a compelling portrait of diversity in representational styles.

The Liberal Party has fallen on hard times since 2006. Once Canada's natural governing party but now confined to the opposition benches, it struggles to renew itself – presumably without the support of the provincial-level Liberal parties.Drawing on interviews and personal observations in cross-country ridings, Royce Koop reveals that although the Liberal Party, like other parties, disassociated itself from its provincial cousins to rebuild itself in the mid-twentieth century, grassroots Liberals and other partisans continue to build bridges between the national party and the provinces. This insider's view of Liberal party politics not only challenges the idea that Canada has two distinct political spheres – the provincial and the national – it suggests that national parties can overcome the challenges of multi-level politics, strengthen their ties to provincial politics, and deepen their legitimacy by tapping the activism, energy, and support of constituency associations and local campaigns.

The Liberal Party has fallen on hard times since 2006. Once Canada's natural governing party but now confined to the opposition benches, it struggles to renew itself – presumably without the support of the provincial-level Liberal parties.Drawing on interviews and personal observations in cross-country ridings, Royce Koop reveals that although the Liberal Party, like other parties, disassociated itself from its provincial cousins to rebuild itself in the mid-twentieth century, grassroots Liberals and other partisans continue to build bridges between the national party and the provinces. This insider's view of Liberal party politics not only challenges the idea that Canada has two distinct political spheres – the provincial and the national – it suggests that national parties can overcome the challenges of multi-level politics, strengthen their ties to provincial politics, and deepen their legitimacy by tapping the activism, energy, and support of constituency associations and local campaigns.