Statecraft: Canadian Prime Ministers and Their Cabinets (IPAC Series in Public Management and Governance) - Softcover

Azzi, Stephen; Dutil, Patrice

Softcover

ISBN 10: 148755897X ISBN 13: 9781487558970

Publisher: University of Toronto Press, 2025

Synopsis

Statecraft delves into the intricate relationships between Canadian prime ministers and their cabinets since Confederation. Through twenty critical essays, leading scholars systematically analyse the challenges and decisions faced by individual prime ministers from Sir John A. Macdonald to Justin Trudeau. The essays explore essential questions: What influenced cabinet appointments? How and why were ministers shuffled or dismissed? How did the drive for re-election shape the leadership styles employed by prime ministers? At its core, the book examines statecraft – the art of decisive leadership in the face of shifting social, economic, and cultural realities. Statecraft involves the balancing act of maintaining government cohesion, prioritizing urgent issues, and navigating the relentless pursuit of political survival. Even the most seasoned leaders can master statecraft one day and falter the next. Drawing on extensive research, Statecraft bridges history and political science, offering fresh perspectives on the strategies, decisions, and leadership techniques that have defined twenty prime ministers. This comprehensive volume sheds light on the evolving art of governance and its enduring challenges.

About this title

About the Authors

Stephen Azzi is a professor of political management, history, and political science at Carleton University.

Patrice Dutil is a professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 148755897X
• ISBN 13: 9781487558970
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 496