Party of Conscience

The CCF, the NDP, and Social Democracy in Canada Surveying the field of political history in Canada, one might assume that the politics of the nation have been shaped solely by the Liberal and Conservative parties. Relatively little attention has been paid to the contributions of the CCF and NDP in Canadian politics. This collection remedies this imbalance with a critical examination of the place of social democracy in Canadian history and politics. Bringing together the work of politicians, think tank members, party activists, union members, scholars, students, and social movement actors in important discussions about social democracy delving into an array of topics including municipal, provincial, and national issues, labour relations, feminism, contemporary social movements, war and society, security issues, and the media, Party of Conscience reminds Canadians of the important contributions the CCF and NDP have made to a progressive, compassionate idea of Canada. PRAISE Party of Conscience is a sophisticated re-examination of the past and present of Canada’s party of the left, which is both timely and long overdue. Drawing from a wide array of academics, activists, and party stalwarts the essays here give all concerned much to think about as progressive democrats everywhere seek new ways to replace the social, political, and economic injustices of twenty-first-century capitalism with a more just socially democratic order. – Kevin Brushett, Department of History, Royal Military College of Canada Party of Conscience is an important addition to the current conversation about the left and electoral politics. The book feels like a conversation around a kitchen table; both a dialogue and a reflection on where we have been and where to go from here. – Sheri Benson, MP for Saskatoon West, NDP In a world filled with inequality and injustice, Party of Conscience offers a lively and thought-provoking collection of essays about the past history, present challenges, and future prospects of social democracy in Canada. – Alan Whitehorn, author of Canadian Socialism: Essays on the CCF-NDP