From Left to Right - by Dale Eisler

About the Book

"An in-depth look at the political landscape of Saskatchewan from its leftist roots to its shift in recent years to the right of centre. One of the most underreported stories in Canadian politics has been the political and economic transformation of Saskatchewan. The province that was the birthplace of the CCF-NDP and democratic socialism in North America has, over the last fifty years, undergone fundamental change that has altered its identity. It is now seen as the bastion of the centre-right Saskatchewan Party, which has become one of the most dominant provincial political parties in Canada. The story of that transformation, in which the once powerful NDP has been relegated to the political margins, reaches far beyond the province itself and reflects national and global events that have shaped the province over the course of the last half century. Modern Saskatchewan politics have been less about ideology and more about the influence of issues and events since the late 1960s and the lure of populist leaders who speak to an identity rooted in the province's history. Consistent with Saskatchewan's history, From Left to Right presents a blend of populism, a deeply embedded spirit of independence and personal initiative, coupled with communitarian values and the constant search for a better future."--

Book Synopsis

An in-depth look at the political landscape of Saskatchewan from its leftist roots to its recent shift to the right.

In From Left to Right, Dale Eisler explores the events that have changed the character of the province, and how others see it, in significant ways. Eisler traces the evolution of Saskatchewan from the homeland of the NDP to the domain of the Saskatchewan Party.

Beginning his analysis in the late 1960s, Eisler outlines major international and domestic events that shaped the world and Canada. He then traces specific moments in time in the political and economic life of Saskatchewan that were a result of those factors, leading to the political and economic reality of Saskatchewan today.

Review Quotes

"As a former journalist and daily columnist in Saskatchewan, Eisler . . . has written a very clear and important book. . . . It will gain a wide readership and spark a lot of debate."--Ken Rasmussen, director of Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina

"This book makes a serious advance to this field/area of interest--it fills a critical whole in our knowledge of SK politics."--James Farney, author of Social Conservatives and Conservative Party Politics in North America

About the Author

Dale Eisler is a former journalist, senior federal public servant, and is currently Senior Policy Fellow at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. He is the author of False Expectations and Anton. He lives in Regina.