Sep 21
On October 7, I joined a PolicyForward panel discussion on the future of democracy in Canada, organized by the Max Bell Foundation. The discussion was chaired by Paul Wells. Details here. Listen to my opening comments on the state of democracy here.
Politics & Rights Review has published an excerpt from my new book, The Adaptable Country. Read the excerpt here. Also available in French and Spanish.
On September 16, I visited the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri to talk about my book The Adaptable Country.
And on September 17, I gave a lecture about the book at Missouri Southern State University, as one of their Canada Semester events. You can watch the lecture on YouTube:
“In a world of disruptive, interconnected crises, Roberts provides us with a warning: Canada is on the edge of an adaptability trap. Our institutions, and the people who work in them, must have the nimbleness and flexibility to sustain our democracy in the treacherous years ahead.” – Anne McLellan, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
“While too many people in Canadian politics are focussed only on winning, Alasdair Roberts has produced a pithy guide to making Canada succeed, with an emphasis on planning, coordination, and an informed citizenry.” – Paul Wells, award-winning journalist and author of The Longer I’m Prime Minister
“Providing essential insight into Canada’s unique governance model, Alasdair Roberts urges us to face the challenges to our democratic institutions. The Adaptable Country is a must-read, opening a conversation about how the federal establishment can better work for the next generation.” – Senator Peter Harder
“A hyper-relevant call to action, as Canadians feel increasingly unsettled about our collective stability and resilience. Roberts seeks to shake us out of our complacency and think strategically about a challenging future for which we’re likely ill-prepared.” – Jennifer Ditchburn, President & CEO, Institute for Research on Public Policy
“A lively read, The Adaptable Country explores how governance has evolved in Canada. More approachable and broader in scope than much academic work in Canadian governance/public administration, it draws on key anecdotes to engage and inform a wide general readership.” – Emmett Macfarlane, coauthor of Legislating under the Charter
“The Adaptable Country offers a unique view of government and governing in Canada. Roberts examines public administration, political party, civil society, and political culture issues to assess which of these components of the system has been diminished or is currently not up to the task.” – Brooke Jeffrey, author of Road to Redemption
Pre-order on Amazon (United States).
Pre-order on Amazon (Canada)
The Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Administration has published a short commentary, “Improving adaptability in democratic systems,” that is drawn from my forthcoming book, The Adaptable Country. The commentary can be read here. | More information about the book here.
My forthcoming book from McGill-Queen’s University Press, The Adaptable Country, is discussed in this new article by Kathryn May in Policy Options magazine:
Nov 28
My book The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century, is now available from McGill-Queen’s University Press, in the Canadian Essentials series edited by Professor Daniel Béland. The cover design is by David Drummond.
Order on Amazon (United States)
Order on Amazon (Canada)
Download frontmatter and preface here.
From the publisher: Adaptability is the overlooked key to Canada’s survival in turbulent times. Shifting geopolitics, regional conflicts, climate change, and technology shocks: these are just some of the factors that will make the twenty-first century dangerous for Canada. Adaptability, the capacity to anticipate and manage dangers, is essential for the country to survive and thrive. But Canada is not as adaptable as it once was.
Read moreOct 21
For reference, some of the older sources mentioned in my October 30, 2024 op-ed in the Montreal Gazette:
“gouging out your eyes”: Calgary Herald, 26 February 1992, A6.
“shooting itself in the head”: Proceedings of the House of Commons Committee on Bill C-63, June 10, 1992.
“important to the country’s prosperity”: Ottawa Citizen, 27 February 1992, 5.
My comments on the need for a broad review of the role and structure of the Canadian federal public service, are included in this Policy Options piece by Kathryn May.
I’ve written a Policy Brief on adaptable government for the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at American University Cairo. Download the policy brief here. This is based on my current book project, The Adaptable Country.
Alasdair S. Roberts 
