Politics on the Canadian Prairies are puzzling. The provinces share a common landscape and history, but they have nurtured three distinct political cultures – Alberta is Canada’s bastion of conservatism, Saskatchewan its cradle of social democracy, and Manitoba its progressive centre. The roots of these cultures run deep, yet their persistence over a century has yet to be explained.

Drawing on over eight hundred pieces of campaign literature, Jared Wesley reveals that dominant political parties have used one key device – rhetoric – to foster and carry forward their province’s cultural values or political code. Social Credit and Progressive Conservative leaders in Alberta emphasized freedom, whereas New Democrats in Saskatchewan stressed security. Successful politicians in Manitoba, by contrast, underscored the importance of moderation. Although the content of their campaigns differed, leaders from William Aberhart to Tommy Douglas to Gary Doer have employed distinct codes to ensure their parties’ success and shape their provinces’ political landscapes.

Jared J. Wesley is associate dean of graduate studies and a professor of political science at the University of Alberta.

Jared J. Wesley's profile page

• Short-listed, Donald Smiley Prize, Canadian Political Science Association
• Commended, The Hill Times List of Top 100 Best Books for 2012

This is a well written book, extensively researched, well thought out and combining an interesting mix of theory and historical-empirical evidence. It speaks intelligently about questions to do with the theory of political culture, socialization, the role of ideas in politics and the nature of qualitative content analysis.

Canadian Journal of Political Science, Vol 45 No 3