On Nationalism - (Field Notes) by David Moscrop (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In 2025, threats made by Donald Trump and his government resulted in a surge of nationalism in Canada. Canadian nationalism isn't without precedent, we've seen it before, off and on, going back to Confederation, but this moment is unique in that it comes because of outside aggressors who've inadvertently rallied a fractious country to (more or less) unite and assert Canadian sovereignty.

In On Nationalism, political columnist and commentator David Moscrop examines the recent phenomenon of Canadian nationalism, its complex construction, uses and abuses, and its intersection with history, identity, ideology, and capitalism, in an attempt to put the current moment into perspective and explore his own newfound "reluctant" nationalism.

Review Quotes

Praise for David Moscrop

"Moscrop is one of those most marvelous and rare things, a brilliant scholar who can synthesize history, politics, and science and explain them in a way that doesn't make the reader feel like they're being forced to do homework. You'll have a much better understanding of what's going on around you, and how to be part of the solution to the big issues facing all of us today."
--Mark Bourrie, author of Crosses in the Sky

"So much of modern political debate revolves around what people are feeling. It's nice to be reminded that deciding is the basic building block of democracy--not just for politicians, but for citizens too. If you've been worried lately about the state of democracy, Moscrop might just be able to help."

--Susan Delacourt, author of Shopping for Votes

"It is difficult, in the Age of Trump, not to lose faith in democracy. Moscrop, to his credit, does not avert his eyes from the magnitude of the problems that confront us. More important, however, is that he provides some serious suggestions as to where the solutions might lie."
--Joseph Heath, author of Enlightenment 2.0

"Anyone keen to understand the threat to democracy and wanting to consider some important steps to creating a more inclusive society will find much food for thought in David Moscrop's incisive primer."
--The Hill Times

"In many ways, Too Dumb for Democracy? is an ambitious plunge into neuroscience, politics, fake news, and how all of it can affect critical decision making at the ballot box."
--Literary Review of Canada

About the Author

David Moscrop is a political columnist, commentator, and author of Too Dumb for Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions And How We Can Make Better Ones. He's a contributing writer for The Walrus and his work has appeared in other publications including the Washington Post, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Guardian, and Time Magazine. He holds a PhD in political science from the University of British Columbia, where he studied the psychology of democratic deliberation. He lives in Ottawa.