Forcing Choice: The Risky Reward of Referendums
Oct 2017 · Dundurn
Ebook
384
Pages
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About this ebook
The Hill Times: Best Books of 2017
What happens when crucial public issues are decided the people themselves?
Canadians answered “Yes” or “No” to prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. Forcing such crucial choices at the ballot box is high-stakes democracy, both here and overseas — as witnessed with Britain’s transformative 2016 “Brexit” referendum.
Forcing Choice dissects Canada’s extensive use of ballot questions at all levels of government, and weighs the benefits of citizens making fundamental decisions for the nation. Holding referendums is tricky, and getting it wrong carries a high price.
This hard-hitting book draws on Boyer’s deep research on direct democracy and his experience advising governments about referendums, writing books, drafting and introducing the Canada Referendum Act, monitoring foreign referendums, and campaigning in Canadian ones.
What happens when crucial public issues are decided the people themselves?
Canadians answered “Yes” or “No” to prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. Forcing such crucial choices at the ballot box is high-stakes democracy, both here and overseas — as witnessed with Britain’s transformative 2016 “Brexit” referendum.
Forcing Choice dissects Canada’s extensive use of ballot questions at all levels of government, and weighs the benefits of citizens making fundamental decisions for the nation. Holding referendums is tricky, and getting it wrong carries a high price.
This hard-hitting book draws on Boyer’s deep research on direct democracy and his experience advising governments about referendums, writing books, drafting and introducing the Canada Referendum Act, monitoring foreign referendums, and campaigning in Canadian ones.
The Hill Times: Best Books of 2017
What happens when crucial public issues are decided the people themselves?
Canadians answered “Yes” or “No” to prohibiting alcohol, conscripting soldiers, and revamping our constitution. Forcing such crucial choices at the ballot box is high-stakes democracy, ...
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About the author
J. Patrick Boyer served as Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary for External Affairs, and works for democratic development overseas. He is the author of twenty-three books on Canadian history, law, politics, and governance. Patrick lives in Muskoka and Toronto.
J. Patrick Boyer served as Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary for External Affairs, and works for democratic development overseas. He is the author of twenty-three books on Canadian history, law, politics, and governance. Patrick lives in Muskoka and Toronto.
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