The United States and Canada: how two democracies differ and why it matters /

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. Part One: Introduction Chapter 1. Introduction Paul J. Quirk Part Two: Political Culture and Institutions Chapter 2. Political Culture and Values Russell J. Dalton Chapter 3. Electoral and Party Systems André Blais, Shaun Bowler, and Bernard Grofman Chapter 4. Executive Leadership and the Legislative Process Jonathan Malloy and Paul J. Quirk Chapter 5. Bureaucratic Influence and Policymaking John R. McAndrews, Bert A. Rockman, and Colin Campbell Chapter 6. Federalism Richard Simeon and Beryl A. Radin Part Three: Policies and Outcomes Chapter 7. Economic Policy: Growth, Stabilization and Distribution William Keech and William Scarth Chapter 8. Environmental Policy: Climate Change Kathryn Harrison Chapter 9. Morality Issues: Abortion and Gay Rights Gary Mucciaroni and Francesca Scala Chapter 10. Health Care in Canada and the United States Theodore R. Marmor and Antonia Maioni Chapter 11. Managing Diversity: Civil Rights and Immigration Irene Bloemraad and Doris Marie Provine Chapter 12. Assessing Performance: National Versus Regional Patterns Keith Banting, Jack Nagel, Chelsea Schafer, and Daniel Westlake Part Four: Conclusions Chapter 13. Lessons of Comparison: Institutions and Governance Paul J. Quirk