Constitutional Politics in Canada after the Charter

By adding clarity to debates on constitutional politics after the Charter, this book sharpens our vision not only of the past but also the future of Canada.

The first systematic analysis of general theories about Canada’s post-Charter constitutional evolution.

Patrick James is a professor of international relations and director of the Center for International Studies at the University of Southern California.

James Kelly, author of Governing with the Charter: Legislative and Judicial Activism and Framers' Intent and co-editor of Contested Constitutionalism: Reflections on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
Patrick James provides a highly intelligent and balanced synthesis of twenty-five years of constitutional politics literature in Canada ... He also develops an innovative theoretical approach (systemism) to evaluate competing constitutional theories and to test the theoretical significance of competing constitutional approaches. Simply put, as an exercise in theory building, testing, and evaluation, this book makes a unique contribution to the state of Canadian politics and constitutional studies.