The Canadian federalist experiment : from defiant monarchy to reluctant republic / Frederick Vaughan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vaughan, Frederick.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Canada--History--Confederation, 1867.

Canada.

History.

Confederation of Canada (1867).

Canada--Politics and government--1867-.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xii, 225 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Montreal ; Ithaca : McGill-Queen's University Press, [2003]

Summary:

The Canadian Federalist Experiment is an examination of how Canada has moved away from the monarchical government espoused by the fathers of Confederation and has embraced the republican principles they worked so hard to avoid. Frederick Vaughan looks at the history of the 1867 constitution, showing how strong ties with Britain led to the founding of a "monarchic federation" and how the new Canadian government was greatly influenced by British policy. He then looks at changes that have taken place in Canada since Confederation, and analyses how the 1982 Constitution Act undermined the monarchic character of the Canadian government and introduced republican principles that have put old institutional structures at odds with the republican ambitions.

Contents:

Introduction: An Improbable Ambition 3

1 The Enlightenment and the Foundations of Modern Government in England and America 7

2 From Royal Prerogative to Responsible Government 22

3 The Foundations of Eddystone 49

4 An Object Much to be Desired 76

5 The Ambiguous Embrace of Federalism 91

6 The Courts and the Rise of Judicial Power 115

7 A Nation of Christians 134

8 The Charter Court and the Decline of Parliament 152

Epilogue: Clinging to the Wreckage 175.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references: pages [205]-219 and index.

ISBN:

0773525335

OCLC:

51040309