Leslie Pal explores a phenomenon unique to Canadian politics - the direct funding of advocacy groups by the government - and makes a significant contribution to the debate on the role of the state in shaping society. Focusing on groups concerned with the official Languages, multiculturalism, and women's issues, he argues that funding was not neutral but was driven by state interests, and particularly by a national unity agenda.

Leslie Pal is Director of the School of Public Administration at Carleton University.

Leslie Pal's profile page

"Interests of State is exemplary scholarship. In presenting an empirically rich and substantively provocative account of a politically significant arena of Canadian public policy, it offers important insights into the distinctive features of the Canadian political culture and political dialogue." Grace Skogstad, American Political Science Review. "A focused and fascinating study about the relationship between the Department of Secretary of State and the various groups that it funds." S.K. Ma, Choice. "Pal's study is an important reference on minority group politics vis-à-vis the state." Roxana Ng, Resources for Feminist Research.