The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics

by Stephen Clarkson

In The Big Red Machine, astute Liberal observer Stephen Clarkson tells the story of the Liberal Party’s performance in the last nine elections, providing essential historical context for each and offering incisive, behind-the-scenes detail about how the party has planned, changed, and executed its successful electoral strategies. Arguing that the Liberal Party has opportunistically straddled the political centre since Sir John A. Macdonald – leaning left or moving right and as circumstances required – Clarkson also shows that the party’s grip on power is becoming increasingly uncertain, having lost its appeal not just in the West, but now in Québec. Its campaigns now reflect the splintering of the party system and the integration of Canada into the global economy.

Genres: Politics, Canada, History, Political Science

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jaylani Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how it discusses the timeline and milestones of the party did as a majority and a minority governments.

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alive with clear, bright thinking. Clarkson “gets” electoral politics.