Shifting Sands
Political Culture and Public Opinion in Alberta
Will be published approx. on 10. November 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-1-77212-880-2 (ISBN)
Description
Shifting Sands shows that Alberta is not the conservative monoculture people think it is. The Viewpoint Alberta dataset explored in this volume provides an unparalleled opportunity to study the dynamics of public opinion on a range of topics. Drawing on five years of survey data, this insightful book gives a penetrating, down-to-earth look at the province's political soul. It's an accessible analysis that traces the roots and emerging realities of separatism, populism, polarization, and conspiracy theories. The authors unveil complex ideological truths and challenge common identity myths, showing how the gap between Alberta's fabled past and its diverse present is creating sharp political divisions. This is a crucial look at where the province has come from, where it may be going, and how it can address major issues ahead. A compelling read for anyone seeking to understand the most turbulent place in Canadian politics, Shifting Sands is an invaluable resource for scholars, students, policymakers, public servants, and journalists.
Contributors: Emily Boivin, Brendan Boyd, Hannah Diner, Elaine Hyshka, Michelle Maroto, Gala Palavicini, Eyene Okpanachi, Rissa Reist, Feodor Snagovsky, David K. Stewart, Angelia Wagner, Evan Walker, Jared J. Wesley, Rob Currie-Wood, and Lisa Young
Contributors: Emily Boivin, Brendan Boyd, Hannah Diner, Elaine Hyshka, Michelle Maroto, Gala Palavicini, Eyene Okpanachi, Rissa Reist, Feodor Snagovsky, David K. Stewart, Angelia Wagner, Evan Walker, Jared J. Wesley, Rob Currie-Wood, and Lisa Young
More details
Persons
Content
- CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
- Jared J. Wesley and Feodor Snagovsky
- Political Culture in Alberta
- Shifting Sands?
- Viewpoint Alberta
- Chapter Summaries
- References
- CHAPTER 2: POLARIZATION IN ALBERTA
- Jared J. Wesley, Hannah Diner, and Evan Walker
- What Is Political Polarization?
- Ideological and Issue Polarization in Alberta
- Affective Polarization in Alberta
- Democratic Norms in Alberta
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 3: THE EMERGENCE OF A TWO-PARTY COMPETITIVE SYSTEM IN ALBERTA POLITICS
- David K. Stewart and Rob Currie-Wood
- Introduction
- Transformations in the Party System
- Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
- Geography
- Sociodemographic Backgrounds and Party Identification
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 4: CONSPIRACY THEORIES IN ALBERTA
- Feodor Snagovsky
- Conspiracy Theories and Conspiratorial Mindset
- Environmental Conspiracy Theories
- Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories
- Globalism And Secret Plots
- Conspiratorial Mindset
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 5: FEDERALISM, AUTONOMY, AND SEPARATISM IN ALBERTA
- Jared J. Wesley and Gala Palavicini
- Historical Roots of Western Alienation
- Responses to Separatism
- Findings
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 6: ECONOMIC INSECURITY AND POPULIST ATTITUDES ACROSS ALBERTA
- Michelle Maroto
- Introduction
- Economic Insecurity and Mobility Perceptions
- Studying Economic Insecurity in Alberta
- Economic Insecurity and Mobility Perceptions Over Time in Alberta
- Economic Insecurity and Populist Attitudes
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 7: INTERSECTING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES
- Elaine Hyshka and Lisa Young
- Methods
- Partisanship and Public Health Policy
- Partisanship, Ideology and Covid-19 in Alberta
- Alberta's Other Public Health Crisis
- Illegal Drug Policy Controversy in Alberta
- Relationship Between Partisanship And Drug Policy Preferences
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 8: EYES WIDE OPEN? PERCEPTIONS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN ALBERTA
- Angelia Wagner
- Introduction
- Alberta in Perspective
- Viewpoint Alberta in Perspective
- Albertans' Views on Skin Colour Discrimination
- Albertans' Views on Racial Discrimination
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 9: THE POLITICS OF GENDER IN ALBERTA
- Rissa Reist
- Introduction
- The Glass Ceiling, the Glass Cliff, and the Sticky Floor
- A History of Women's Political Representation in Alberta
- Chapter Methods
- Findings
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 10: "NO ONE WANTS TO FREEZE IN THE DARK": ALBERTA AND THE POLITICS OF RESISTANCE TO FEDERAL ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION
- Eyene Okpanachi
- Introduction
- Energy and Climate Policies/Politics in Alberta from Rachel Notley to Danielle Smith
- Albertans' Attitudes toward the Environment and Energy
- A Province Divided
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 11: HOW DO ALBERTANS VIEW THE PUBLIC SERVICE?
- Brendan Boyd and Emily Boivin
- Introduction
- Public Service Organizations in Alberta: Background
- Alberta Political Culture
- Alberta Political Culture and the Public Service
- Methods
- Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 12: CONCLUSION
- Feodor Snagovsky and Jared J. Wesley
- Shifting Sands: Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
- Implications for Political Culture in Alberta
- A Transition or the New Normal?
- Future Directions
- References
- Jared J. Wesley and Feodor Snagovsky
- Political Culture in Alberta
- Shifting Sands?
- Viewpoint Alberta
- Chapter Summaries
- References
- CHAPTER 2: POLARIZATION IN ALBERTA
- Jared J. Wesley, Hannah Diner, and Evan Walker
- What Is Political Polarization?
- Ideological and Issue Polarization in Alberta
- Affective Polarization in Alberta
- Democratic Norms in Alberta
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 3: THE EMERGENCE OF A TWO-PARTY COMPETITIVE SYSTEM IN ALBERTA POLITICS
- David K. Stewart and Rob Currie-Wood
- Introduction
- Transformations in the Party System
- Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
- Geography
- Sociodemographic Backgrounds and Party Identification
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 4: CONSPIRACY THEORIES IN ALBERTA
- Feodor Snagovsky
- Conspiracy Theories and Conspiratorial Mindset
- Environmental Conspiracy Theories
- Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories
- Globalism And Secret Plots
- Conspiratorial Mindset
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 5: FEDERALISM, AUTONOMY, AND SEPARATISM IN ALBERTA
- Jared J. Wesley and Gala Palavicini
- Historical Roots of Western Alienation
- Responses to Separatism
- Findings
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 6: ECONOMIC INSECURITY AND POPULIST ATTITUDES ACROSS ALBERTA
- Michelle Maroto
- Introduction
- Economic Insecurity and Mobility Perceptions
- Studying Economic Insecurity in Alberta
- Economic Insecurity and Mobility Perceptions Over Time in Alberta
- Economic Insecurity and Populist Attitudes
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 7: INTERSECTING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES
- Elaine Hyshka and Lisa Young
- Methods
- Partisanship and Public Health Policy
- Partisanship, Ideology and Covid-19 in Alberta
- Alberta's Other Public Health Crisis
- Illegal Drug Policy Controversy in Alberta
- Relationship Between Partisanship And Drug Policy Preferences
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 8: EYES WIDE OPEN? PERCEPTIONS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN ALBERTA
- Angelia Wagner
- Introduction
- Alberta in Perspective
- Viewpoint Alberta in Perspective
- Albertans' Views on Skin Colour Discrimination
- Albertans' Views on Racial Discrimination
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 9: THE POLITICS OF GENDER IN ALBERTA
- Rissa Reist
- Introduction
- The Glass Ceiling, the Glass Cliff, and the Sticky Floor
- A History of Women's Political Representation in Alberta
- Chapter Methods
- Findings
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 10: "NO ONE WANTS TO FREEZE IN THE DARK": ALBERTA AND THE POLITICS OF RESISTANCE TO FEDERAL ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION
- Eyene Okpanachi
- Introduction
- Energy and Climate Policies/Politics in Alberta from Rachel Notley to Danielle Smith
- Albertans' Attitudes toward the Environment and Energy
- A Province Divided
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 11: HOW DO ALBERTANS VIEW THE PUBLIC SERVICE?
- Brendan Boyd and Emily Boivin
- Introduction
- Public Service Organizations in Alberta: Background
- Alberta Political Culture
- Alberta Political Culture and the Public Service
- Methods
- Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
- CHAPTER 12: CONCLUSION
- Feodor Snagovsky and Jared J. Wesley
- Shifting Sands: Insights from Viewpoint Alberta
- Implications for Political Culture in Alberta
- A Transition or the New Normal?
- Future Directions
- References