Stephen Clarkson

Stephen Clarkson (1937-2016) was a Canadian political scientist and professor at the University of Toronto who specialized in Canadian politics, North American integration, and international trade agreements. His most significant contributions came through his analysis of Canada's relationship with the United States and his extensive work on Canadian political economy. Clarkson authored or co-authored more than a dozen books, including "The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics" and "Uncle Sam and Us: Globalization, Neoconservatism and the Canadian State." His research on North American free trade agreements and their impact on Canadian sovereignty earned him widespread recognition in academic and policy circles. Throughout his career, Clarkson served as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and received the Order of Canada for his contributions to political science. His work with Sylvia Bashevkin on the relationship between Canada and the European Union helped establish new frameworks for understanding international trade relationships. Working frequently with his scholarly partner and wife Christina McCall, Clarkson produced influential biographical works on Pierre Trudeau, including the two-volume series "Trudeau and Our Times," which won the Governor General's Award for non-fiction in 1990.

Readers appreciate Clarkson's detailed analysis of Canadian politics and trade relationships, with particular praise for his clear explanation of complex political systems. What readers liked: - Deep research and comprehensive documentation in "Trudeau and Our Times" - Clear writing style that makes policy discussions accessible - Balanced perspective on US-Canada relations in "Uncle Sam and Us" What readers disliked: - Dense academic language in some works - Length and detail can overwhelm non-academic readers - Some found his analysis of Liberal Party dominance dated Ratings: Goodreads: - "Trudeau and Our Times" - 4.1/5 (127 ratings) - "Uncle Sam and Us" - 3.8/5 (43 ratings) - "The Big Red Machine" - 3.7/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: - "Trudeau and Our Times" - 4.3/5 (18 reviews) - "Uncle Sam and Us" - 4.0/5 (7 reviews) Several academic reviewers cite his work as authoritative on Canadian political economy, though general readers sometimes note the books require significant background knowledge.

Russia's Gates: Inside The Soviet Empire - A boots-on-the-ground account of the Soviet Union's final years, based on Clarkson's extensive travel and interviews throughout the USSR between 1989-1991.

Trudeau and Our Times: Volume 1: The Magnificent Obsession - A detailed political biography covering Pierre Trudeau's rise to power and his first period as Prime Minister of Canada, co-authored with Christina McCall.

Trudeau and Our Times: Volume 2: The Heroic Delusion - The second volume examining Trudeau's later years in office and his political legacy, also co-authored with Christina McCall.

Uncle Sam and Us: Globalization, Neoconservatism, and the Canadian State - An analysis of the economic and political relationship between Canada and the United States in the context of globalization.

Does North America Exist?: Governing the Continent After NAFTA and 9/11 - An examination of continental integration and governance in North America following major trade agreements and security changes.

Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics - A study of the Liberal Party of Canada's electoral success and political operations throughout Canadian history.

Dependent America?: How Canada and Mexico Construct US Power - An exploration of how Canadian and Mexican policies and relationships contribute to American global influence.

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