The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century

by Alasdair Roberts

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Alasdair Roberts is a professor of political science and public policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Reviews

[Jake M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Adaptable Country is a strong analysis of how many liberal democracies, particularly Canada, are capable of adapting to future challenges. Roberts discusses how this ability is being eroded by short-termism, red tape and politicization. To be adaptable Roberts states that governments must be able to anticipate problems, renovate their structures to react nimbly to threats, gain political support to address challenges, and be able to execute plans to meet challenges. The text is will organized and concise, ideal for public policy wonks and novice political science majors. Roberts ends the book with potential remedies for paralyzing forces that impede adaptability.

[Jeffrey Lush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is intriguing for anyone interested in exploring options to revitalize Canada’s public service. While it is quite academic and dry, it’s refreshing in today’s politically charged and opinionated environment to consider whether Canada’s public service could be better and how we arrived at this point. Notably, it maintains a non-partisan stance, which makes it appealing to all political stripes. I believe it offers a reasonable dialogue on how to evolve our public service and was worth reading.

[Liam Sutcliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focuses a lot on the institutional framework of Canada but neglects crucial elements like fiscal policy and municipal governments. Overall good analysis of the challenges at hand but fails to provide a full picture of the issues facing Canada as a country.

[Tony Wohlfarth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very readable (180 pp) and well written. It reminded me of the adage that the success of a country is not predetermined i.e. depends on what steps are taken to build its social fabric. What's imissing?
1. There is no analysis of how Trump affects Canada's future prospects?
2. Its conclusion - that a forward looking commission to study the issue - is IMO lame;
3. its treatment of first nations' issues is weak.
4. There is no analysis of Canada's stengths e.g. the Constitution, Medicare, well-funded social security programs, and diversity of its of its pol'l fabric:
5. Urbanization is not discussed in any detail. A pity since cities are one of Canada's strengths.
These shortcomings take nothing away from the book's srong points:
1. its review of past Royal Commissions is strong;
2. its analysis of First Ministers' meetings is incisive;
With these caveats, I recommend it for a quick-read on what works (and does not).

[Laurent Carbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a lucid and useful look from someone away from the daily grind of Ottawa at the state of our institutions and what has to be done to preserve them in something like a state of health. Highly recommend.

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary stuff. Read this and pay attention to the warnings.