Shifting Sands

Feodor (Feo) Snagovsky is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta. Jared J. Wesley is Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean (Graduate) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta.

“Compelling and accessible, Shifting Sands traces the roots, contours, and emerging nuances of Alberta’s political culture, offering unique insights into the questions raised about its evolving landscape.” Lori Williams, Mount Royal University

• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIONJared J. Wesley and Feodor SnagovskyPolitical Culture in AlbertaShifting Sands?Viewpoint AlbertaChapter SummariesReferencesCHAPTER 2: POLARIZATION IN ALBERTAJared J. Wesley, Hannah Diner, and Evan WalkerWhat Is Political Polarization?Ideological and Issue Polarization in AlbertaAffective Polarization in AlbertaDemocratic Norms in AlbertaConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 3: THE EMERGENCE OF A TWO-PARTY COMPETITIVE SYSTEM IN ALBERTA POLITICSDavid K. Stewart and Rob Currie-WoodIntroductionTransformations in the Party SystemInsights from Viewpoint AlbertaGeographySociodemographic Backgrounds and Party IdentificationConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 4: CONSPIRACY THEORIES IN ALBERTAFeodor SnagovskyConspiracy Theories and Conspiratorial MindsetEnvironmental Conspiracy TheoriesCovid-19 Conspiracy TheoriesGlobalism And Secret PlotsConspiratorial MindsetConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 5: FEDERALISM, AUTONOMY, AND SEPARATISM IN ALBERTAJared J. Wesley and Gala PalaviciniHistorical Roots of Western AlienationResponses to SeparatismFindingsConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 6: ECONOMIC INSECURITY AND POPULIST ATTITUDES ACROSS ALBERTAMichelle MarotoIntroductionEconomic Insecurity and Mobility PerceptionsStudying Economic Insecurity in AlbertaEconomic Insecurity and Mobility Perceptions Over Time in AlbertaEconomic Insecurity and Populist AttitudesConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 7: INTERSECTING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISESElaine Hyshka and Lisa YoungMethodsPartisanship and Public Health PolicyPartisanship, Ideology and Covid-19 in AlbertaAlberta’s Other Public Health CrisisIllegal Drug Policy Controversy in AlbertaRelationship Between Partisanship And Drug Policy PreferencesConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 8: EYES WIDE OPEN? PERCEPTIONS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN ALBERTAAngelia WagnerIntroductionAlberta in PerspectiveViewpoint Alberta in PerspectiveAlbertans’ Views on Skin Colour Discrimination Albertans’ Views on Racial DiscriminationConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 9: THE POLITICS OF GENDER IN ALBERTARissa ReistIntroductionThe Glass Ceiling, the Glass Cliff, and the Sticky FloorA History of Women’s Political Representation in AlbertaChapter MethodsFindingsConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 10: “NO ONE WANTS TO FREEZE IN THE DARK”: ALBERTA AND THE POLITICS OF RESISTANCE TO FEDERAL ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTIONEyene OkpanachiIntroductionEnergy and Climate Policies/Politics in Alberta from Rachel Notley to Danielle SmithAlbertans’ Attitudes toward the Environment and EnergyA Province DividedConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 11: HOW DO ALBERTANS VIEW THE PUBLIC SERVICE? Brendan Boyd and Emily BoivinIntroductionPublic Service Organizations in Alberta: BackgroundAlberta Political CultureAlberta Political Culture and the Public ServiceMethodsFindingsDiscussionConclusionReferencesCHAPTER 12: CONCLUSIONFeodor Snagovsky and Jared J. WesleyShifting Sands: Insights from Viewpoint AlbertaImplications for Political Culture in AlbertaA Transition or the New Normal?Future DirectionsReferences