Divided We Fall
How we can resist polarizing pressures and strengthen our identity as citizens
The divisions among Canadians have been growing in recent years. Despite the Elbows Up movement in response to American threats, even our national unity seems at risk. Rising inequality, regional discontent, and growing distrust of democratic institutions are fuelling populist rhetoric and misinformation, problems that are amplified by social media. Author Max Cameron explores the history of polarization in our country, as well as the forces, both internal and external, that threaten Canadian unity. His account is based on firsthand experience working with Canadians of a wide range of political outlooks who are entering public life. In this book, Cameron suggests how Canadians can rebuild civil discourse based on our common citizenship and restore a shared sense of purpose at a vital point in our country’s history.
Contributors
Max Cameron
Max Cameron is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC. Max is a specialist in comparative politics and has published extensively on problems of democratization. He co-founded the Institute for Future Legislators, a program to prepare citizens for public service. In 2022, Max was the recipient of the 2022 Guillermo O’Donnell Democracy Award and Lectureship by the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) for his work on democracy in Latin America, and in 2024 he was elected President of LASA. He lives in Vancouver.
