What do you think?
Rate this book
What's Happened to Politics?
From esteemed Canadian political leader Bob Rae comes a piercing examination of the fractured state of Canadian politics and what can be done to fix it.
Segmented electorates. Endless repetition of sound bites and vanity videos with little substance. Billions of dollars spent on lobbying. It’s clear that Canadian politics is in a bad state. Through increasingly low voter turnouts and a general lack of engagement in the political process, Canadians have shown that they are dissatisfied and fed up with present-day politics.
In What’s Happened to Politics? , Canadians finally get an definitive account of the problems plaguing their national politics. Touching on everything from polling to issues of social justice to the way in which political parties package their candidates, Rae identifies the shortcomings of the current Canadian political framework, and what we, as citizens, can do to remedy that. With remarkable insight and startling accuracy, Rae speaks as the voice of reason as he imagines a political forum where citizens are inspired to participate instead of feeling disenfranchised. Filled with real-world examples and told from the point of view of an experienced statesman, What’s Happened to Politics? is necessary reading for every Canadian, regardless of their political affiliation. Erudite, engaged, and keenly attuned to the frustrations expressed by Canadians across the political spectrum, Rae shows why he is the leading voice on Canadian politics.
Segmented electorates. Endless repetition of sound bites and vanity videos with little substance. Billions of dollars spent on lobbying. It’s clear that Canadian politics is in a bad state. Through increasingly low voter turnouts and a general lack of engagement in the political process, Canadians have shown that they are dissatisfied and fed up with present-day politics.
In What’s Happened to Politics? , Canadians finally get an definitive account of the problems plaguing their national politics. Touching on everything from polling to issues of social justice to the way in which political parties package their candidates, Rae identifies the shortcomings of the current Canadian political framework, and what we, as citizens, can do to remedy that. With remarkable insight and startling accuracy, Rae speaks as the voice of reason as he imagines a political forum where citizens are inspired to participate instead of feeling disenfranchised. Filled with real-world examples and told from the point of view of an experienced statesman, What’s Happened to Politics? is necessary reading for every Canadian, regardless of their political affiliation. Erudite, engaged, and keenly attuned to the frustrations expressed by Canadians across the political spectrum, Rae shows why he is the leading voice on Canadian politics.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2015
9 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Bob Rae
20 books16 followersRobert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician.
Rae was elected as a New Democratic Party Member of Parliament in 1978, serving as finance critic. He won the leadership of the Ontario New Democratic Party in 1982, signed the Liberal-NDP Accord to support David Peterson's minority Liberal government between 1985 and 1990, and served as Premier of Ontario between 1990 and 1995. Rae publicly severed ties with the NDP in 2002, returning to political life in 2006 with an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Rae was elected MP for Toronto Centre in 2008 and contested the Liberal leadership in 2009 before withdrawing his candidacy. He was selected interim leader in 2011 following the resignation of Michael Ignatieff.
Rae was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000, and in 2004 he was awarded the Order of Ontario. He was appointed the sixth chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University on July 2, 2003, and was installed at that school's fall convocation in October. Rae also became a partner at Goodmans LLP, a Toronto-based corporate law firm, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. He has written four books: From Protest to Power: Personal Reflections on a Life in Politics (1996), Three Questions: Prosperity and the Public Good (1998), Canada in the Balance (2006), and Exporting Democracy: The Risks and Rewards of Pursuing a Good Idea (2010).
Rae was elected as a New Democratic Party Member of Parliament in 1978, serving as finance critic. He won the leadership of the Ontario New Democratic Party in 1982, signed the Liberal-NDP Accord to support David Peterson's minority Liberal government between 1985 and 1990, and served as Premier of Ontario between 1990 and 1995. Rae publicly severed ties with the NDP in 2002, returning to political life in 2006 with an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Rae was elected MP for Toronto Centre in 2008 and contested the Liberal leadership in 2009 before withdrawing his candidacy. He was selected interim leader in 2011 following the resignation of Michael Ignatieff.
Rae was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000, and in 2004 he was awarded the Order of Ontario. He was appointed the sixth chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University on July 2, 2003, and was installed at that school's fall convocation in October. Rae also became a partner at Goodmans LLP, a Toronto-based corporate law firm, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. He has written four books: From Protest to Power: Personal Reflections on a Life in Politics (1996), Three Questions: Prosperity and the Public Good (1998), Canada in the Balance (2006), and Exporting Democracy: The Risks and Rewards of Pursuing a Good Idea (2010).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 9, 2023
This book does an excellent job of giving a historical context to current situations, in some cases quite beneficial to a younger reader who may not have been around for some of the events mentioned in the book.
I think he deviates from the point he's trying to make though, and that might be intentional. The average person interested in this book already has an idea as to what the answer to the question in the title would be - he could probably make that point in under 50 pages.
It is still insightful and does a good job of pointing out things that we should be concerned about. I didn't give it a 5th star simply because I felt that some of the points made were a bit preaching to the choir. Definitely worth the read, just not earth-shattering
I think he deviates from the point he's trying to make though, and that might be intentional. The average person interested in this book already has an idea as to what the answer to the question in the title would be - he could probably make that point in under 50 pages.
It is still insightful and does a good job of pointing out things that we should be concerned about. I didn't give it a 5th star simply because I felt that some of the points made were a bit preaching to the choir. Definitely worth the read, just not earth-shattering
May 25, 2017
I think this is a great book for someone who wants to learn and understand Canadian politics - a '1o1' breakdown, so to speak.
Ironically, I do not think someone who is not interested in Canadian politics would simply pick it up and find it interesting. Often 1 year and 2nd year survey courses on Canadian politics are mandatory because most folks would not take them electively. I think of this book the same way.
I am a political science junky. This book felt like a brief overview of Canadian politics and all other intro courses related to political science.
I skipped over it in certain chapters. I felt it was disorganized as well.
All in all, for someone who is very familiar with the Canadian political landscape, I would not recommend this book. It may not be enjoyable.
Ironically, I do not think someone who is not interested in Canadian politics would simply pick it up and find it interesting. Often 1 year and 2nd year survey courses on Canadian politics are mandatory because most folks would not take them electively. I think of this book the same way.
I am a political science junky. This book felt like a brief overview of Canadian politics and all other intro courses related to political science.
I skipped over it in certain chapters. I felt it was disorganized as well.
All in all, for someone who is very familiar with the Canadian political landscape, I would not recommend this book. It may not be enjoyable.
September 16, 2018
Enjoyable light read that is a call to arms for Canadians frustrated at the deterioration of the political discussion. My only real complaint is that he pretends to be nonpartisan (it's clearly written from the left). Nothing wrong with having a liberal point of view, but don't pretend it's not.
January 19, 2025
Bob Rae’s What’s Happened to Politics? was a timely Christmas gift from my father, arriving just as speculation swirls about the future leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada and its potential redefinition. Written in 2015, the book captures a pivotal moment in Canadian politics but feels eerily relevant today, as the party contemplates whether a return to the center might be necessary to regain its footing. Rae’s reflections on political engagement and leadership in Canadian society resonate deeply in a landscape increasingly dominated by polarization, which I watched only grow these past few years overseas.
While the book is not without its flaws—some arguments are weighed down by logical inconsistencies, and Rae’s tenure as a political leader is not immune to criticism—it remains a compelling discussion of the trends within Canadian politics. Rae’s insights into the shifting expectations placed on leaders, the rise of populism, and the erosion of trust in institutions offer a generally sound framework for understanding our current challenges. His critique of ideological rigidity and advocacy for pragmatic, principle-driven governance feel particularly urgent in a time when political discourse often sacrifices nuance (and everything for that matter) for soundbites.
The Liberal Party is once again about to potentially undergo an identity crisis and Canadian politics stand on the brink of a new chapter. I think Rae’s work here raises a relevant question: can we reclaim a political culture rooted in genuine dialogue, compromise, and long-term vision? Looking ahead, I wonder not only what the future holds for the Liberals, but also whether Canadian politics can rise above the trends Rae identified a decade ago to embrace a politics of substance and shared purpose.
While the book is not without its flaws—some arguments are weighed down by logical inconsistencies, and Rae’s tenure as a political leader is not immune to criticism—it remains a compelling discussion of the trends within Canadian politics. Rae’s insights into the shifting expectations placed on leaders, the rise of populism, and the erosion of trust in institutions offer a generally sound framework for understanding our current challenges. His critique of ideological rigidity and advocacy for pragmatic, principle-driven governance feel particularly urgent in a time when political discourse often sacrifices nuance (and everything for that matter) for soundbites.
The Liberal Party is once again about to potentially undergo an identity crisis and Canadian politics stand on the brink of a new chapter. I think Rae’s work here raises a relevant question: can we reclaim a political culture rooted in genuine dialogue, compromise, and long-term vision? Looking ahead, I wonder not only what the future holds for the Liberals, but also whether Canadian politics can rise above the trends Rae identified a decade ago to embrace a politics of substance and shared purpose.
April 28, 2022
While I was expecting for of an account of who has contributed what to the current state of Politics, it is a historical account on Politics, Leadership, Policy, Aboriginals, Democracy in Canada and Canada in the world. I suspect they are based on lectures prepared for U of T classes taught, but never the less Mr. Rae gives his usual analytical thoughts in a respectful and common sense approach. Much wisdom is spoken and the Aboriginal section is as succinct and brutal as you will find anywhere.
July 21, 2020
Up until Chapter Five on page 95, primarily a history lesson, but from there on Mr. Rae made some very good observations and offered some suggestions for improvements that might restore confidence in the democratic process as it pertains to Canada. Replacing scripted harangues with meaningful debate, having fewer omnibus bills and more free votes would certainly be steps in the right direction. His views on our performance on the world stage too were interesting. All in all, worth reading.
July 12, 2020
A light read on the state of Canadian politics in our time. As former premier of Ontario, and former MP in the House of Commons, Rae provides ideas as to what he believes needs to be changed in Canadian politics, or else.
August 1, 2021
Great book"
April 1, 2022
An enjoyable read. I didn't agree with everything that he wrote, but it is always good to hear the opinions of others. It's also a relatively short read (I read it in one evening) which is convenient. The format was simple- but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The essays themselves were not groundbreaking or astounding but still written well. If you are interested, then it's worth the read.
March 31, 2016
What Happened to Politics? is written by former Ontario NDP premier Bob Rae, who served as the interim leader of the Federal Liberal Party from 2011 to 2013. Rae resigned from national politics in 2014, and became an advocate for Aboriginal groups in their negotiations around the British Colombian pipeline construction project. Rae is still a controversial figure in Ontario, where the words "Rae Day" often conjure a grumble from many Ontario residents. However, it is difficult to deny the political prowess of Bob Rae, who has served as MPP, MP, provincial Premier and federal party leader in his colourful and influential political career in Canada.
Rae's book is not a collection of anecdotal stories from his time in office, or an apologetic essay to try and curry favour with those who still may not like him. It is a short book on political theory in Canada, and talks about issues surrounding leadership, Federalism, aboriginal rights and the state of democracy in the nation of Canada. Rae is well placed to talk about such things, as his highly influential political career shows.
The book talks about the controversies in modern Canadian politics, and how in many ways these issues have existed since Canada's Confederation. He laments the growth of grandstanding politicians, of "microphone diplomacy" where politicians pander to domestic voters while on diplomatic missions, and to the centralization of power in the Prime Minister's Office, among other topics. Rae is well suited to offer a bipartisan response to these issues, as he has served in two of the three major parties in Canadian politics, the third level New Democrats (NDP) and the now ruling Liberal Party. He praises and criticizes the actions of Canadian leaders throughout history, pointing out where some things went down the wrong path. He also criticizes Canadian voters for a growing apathy and lack of political knowledge and participation. He blames this on voter fatigue, a lack of understanding for the inner workings of Canadian politics and a conflicting desire for change among voters, coupled with an inability to understand or support referendums due to a fear of change.
I will leave the reader to glean more information, suffice to say that this was a highly interesting and Canadian-centric political theory book. It is short, frank and gutsy, which should appeal to the average reader, and is highly enjoyable. My one small criticism is that some partisan comments do slip in here and there, and whether I personally agree with them or not, they do run the risk of offending the more politically sensitive amongst Canada's voters.
Rae is a veteran Canadian politician, whatever one thinks of him or his past policies, and I personally have a great respect for the legacy he has left behind, and the decades of work he has put in for Ontario and Canada alike. This book is a fascinating look at the state of Canadian politics in the modern era, and a book to make one think about the political issues we as a nation will continue to face. Poignant and highly readable, this is a fantastic book, and I recommend it to all Canadians with an interest in the internal political machinations of their nation.
Rae's book is not a collection of anecdotal stories from his time in office, or an apologetic essay to try and curry favour with those who still may not like him. It is a short book on political theory in Canada, and talks about issues surrounding leadership, Federalism, aboriginal rights and the state of democracy in the nation of Canada. Rae is well placed to talk about such things, as his highly influential political career shows.
The book talks about the controversies in modern Canadian politics, and how in many ways these issues have existed since Canada's Confederation. He laments the growth of grandstanding politicians, of "microphone diplomacy" where politicians pander to domestic voters while on diplomatic missions, and to the centralization of power in the Prime Minister's Office, among other topics. Rae is well suited to offer a bipartisan response to these issues, as he has served in two of the three major parties in Canadian politics, the third level New Democrats (NDP) and the now ruling Liberal Party. He praises and criticizes the actions of Canadian leaders throughout history, pointing out where some things went down the wrong path. He also criticizes Canadian voters for a growing apathy and lack of political knowledge and participation. He blames this on voter fatigue, a lack of understanding for the inner workings of Canadian politics and a conflicting desire for change among voters, coupled with an inability to understand or support referendums due to a fear of change.
I will leave the reader to glean more information, suffice to say that this was a highly interesting and Canadian-centric political theory book. It is short, frank and gutsy, which should appeal to the average reader, and is highly enjoyable. My one small criticism is that some partisan comments do slip in here and there, and whether I personally agree with them or not, they do run the risk of offending the more politically sensitive amongst Canada's voters.
Rae is a veteran Canadian politician, whatever one thinks of him or his past policies, and I personally have a great respect for the legacy he has left behind, and the decades of work he has put in for Ontario and Canada alike. This book is a fascinating look at the state of Canadian politics in the modern era, and a book to make one think about the political issues we as a nation will continue to face. Poignant and highly readable, this is a fantastic book, and I recommend it to all Canadians with an interest in the internal political machinations of their nation.
April 15, 2016
Bob Rae wrote this lament after he left politics and we'll before the electoral cataclysm of 2015. He may now feel the the universe is unfolding as it should. The chapters are What's Happened to Politic, Leadership, Policy, Aboriginal Peoples, Democracy and Canada in the World. He presents a respectful, measured argument about the misdirection of Canadian politics under the previous government.
He reduces effective leadership to three components: vision, persuasion and implementation. He refers to Henry Ford, reputed to say that if he'd given people what they wanted, he'd have settled for faster horses. For policy, he illustrates how Canada has lagged behind countries like Israel and Germany. The average age of an apprentice is seventeen in Germany whereas it is twenty-seven in Canada. The chapter on Aboriginal Peoples informed about what is wrong with the "historical treaties". He gives apology to the frustrations of the UN. "The United Nations is really just a reflection of the world extremes and irrationalities in which we have always lived." He regrets that our military effort in Afghanistan was never matched by diplomatic imagination.
The final chapter is Further Reading. One of the best recent books that he cites is David Halton's biography of his father Matt Halton, Dispatches from the Front. Just watched Steve Paikin's interview with David Halton. I'll put his book on my list.
He reduces effective leadership to three components: vision, persuasion and implementation. He refers to Henry Ford, reputed to say that if he'd given people what they wanted, he'd have settled for faster horses. For policy, he illustrates how Canada has lagged behind countries like Israel and Germany. The average age of an apprentice is seventeen in Germany whereas it is twenty-seven in Canada. The chapter on Aboriginal Peoples informed about what is wrong with the "historical treaties". He gives apology to the frustrations of the UN. "The United Nations is really just a reflection of the world extremes and irrationalities in which we have always lived." He regrets that our military effort in Afghanistan was never matched by diplomatic imagination.
The final chapter is Further Reading. One of the best recent books that he cites is David Halton's biography of his father Matt Halton, Dispatches from the Front. Just watched Steve Paikin's interview with David Halton. I'll put his book on my list.
October 23, 2015
Really good non-partisan 101 explaining Canada's political system beyond the number of MPs in the House and the parties. He explains how our focus on the leader conflicts with how Canada is actually governed, which provides insight into how it became so broken in the past 10 years.
He outlines how minority governments could be productive and have worked in Canada. He explains how politicizing the issues instead of positions on solutions breaks the system (ie - environmentalism isn't just a left issue, but is important for business and shouldn't be ghettoized as we have to date). Of course he includes a chapter about Aboriginal policies.
I started to read it as the 2015 campaign was at its peak, and finished it after the results were announced. Would be interesting to see an updated/new intro version in four years to analyze if anything has changed - especially if electoral reform actually pushes through federally.
He outlines how minority governments could be productive and have worked in Canada. He explains how politicizing the issues instead of positions on solutions breaks the system (ie - environmentalism isn't just a left issue, but is important for business and shouldn't be ghettoized as we have to date). Of course he includes a chapter about Aboriginal policies.
I started to read it as the 2015 campaign was at its peak, and finished it after the results were announced. Would be interesting to see an updated/new intro version in four years to analyze if anything has changed - especially if electoral reform actually pushes through federally.
October 10, 2016
While I wouldn't dub this a 'must-read for Canadians' I do think it's worth at least looking at for those interested in modern Canadian politics.
It's surprisingly easy to read for non-fiction and a such a short length it doesn't take too much of your time either, making it the perfect introduction into the problems that plague us today. He looks at a diverse set of areas as well, from the native people of Canada to how our system is not as democratic as we think it is.
My only real problem with this book is that more often than not American examples were used over Canadian examples and were almost always more indepth than their Canadian counterparts. Call it a pet peeve of mine but can't Canada have anything for itself? Why does everyone feel the need to compare it to America?
It's surprisingly easy to read for non-fiction and a such a short length it doesn't take too much of your time either, making it the perfect introduction into the problems that plague us today. He looks at a diverse set of areas as well, from the native people of Canada to how our system is not as democratic as we think it is.
My only real problem with this book is that more often than not American examples were used over Canadian examples and were almost always more indepth than their Canadian counterparts. Call it a pet peeve of mine but can't Canada have anything for itself? Why does everyone feel the need to compare it to America?
October 11, 2015
First, it's worth reading and at 150 pages, or so, not a huge time investment. It offers a reasonable analysis of how politics in Canada has evolved to its current state and laments the things that are wrong. It was nice to have some facts and context to buttress my existing views.
I don't think this is a bad book, but I somehow found it disappointing. Perhaps it was the authors attempt to remain even handed that kept it from being a call to action. It says we can and should do better, but I was already at that point.
I don't think this is a bad book, but I somehow found it disappointing. Perhaps it was the authors attempt to remain even handed that kept it from being a call to action. It says we can and should do better, but I was already at that point.
April 20, 2016
It's always interesting to read Bob Rae: ge is articulate, sharp, and knows the Canadian political landscape like no other.
This book offers its share of good passages and clever commentary--and for that I appreciated it. But it completely lacks structure and direction, to the point where it's hard to grasp the overall point. A bit more focus would have helped!
This book offers its share of good passages and clever commentary--and for that I appreciated it. But it completely lacks structure and direction, to the point where it's hard to grasp the overall point. A bit more focus would have helped!
September 20, 2015
Basic political science/civics, but a good, short, intro to what the hell's wrong these days, as well as how we got here.
October 26, 2015
A good collection of thoughts on the current state of Canadian politics and what should be done to improve it.
September 19, 2015
Timely. We need more Bob Rae, less Stephen Harper.
December 23, 2015
This was good, but it was very much "preaching to the choir". Highlighted many quotes!
November 27, 2015
"Politics is too important to be left to the politicians."
May 7, 2016
had courage to say the things he did
Read
May 28, 2024Very approachable. Hit many contemporary notes. A nice, easy read if not excessively brief. I enjoyed the recommended reading list. Would like to see Rae run for X(?) party leader.
November 3, 2015
An easy to read, thought-provoking, non-partisan look at the state of Canadian politics.
April 29, 2018
A must read for everyone (and not just Canadians - just skip the chapter on Aboriginal issues). Rae skillfully presents the biggest issues in contemporary politics and challenges seemingly infallible beliefs. Extremely insightful.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews