Power Shift

About the Book

The Message of POWER SHIFT:

Fed up with politics-as-usual? Most Canadians are. They (83%) want their MP to represent them and not a party in the House of Commons. Political parties, however, do not consider reforms that would shift significant power from them to citizens. Professor Lyon, breaking the party silence, “speaks” strongly in support of the interests of his fellow citizens.

Drawing on years of experience as a political activist and political scientist, he shows both why and how the desire of Canadians for this new form of representation should be acted on, now. He does this by presenting readers with a detailed model of the “new politics.” He argues that adopting the model would establish the close collaborative relationship of citizens, their MPs, cabinet and civil servants needed to strengthen the performance of government.

Professor Lyon urges politicians to respect the desire of citizens for fundamental change. Party politics is, he states, l9th century politics, and fails to meet the needs of today.

Citizen politics for the 21st century is what he proposes and, he argues, Canada stands on the cusp of making the change to them.

About the Author

Author: Vaughan Lyon grew up and was educated in Winnipeg and Vancouver. After he graduated the first time from UBC, he worked for a decade in labour relations. He then returned to UBC and earned his PhD in political science. Subsequently, he taught, researched and wrote about Canadian politics at Trent University. He has had a life-long concern with bridging the gap between citizens and what should be “their” government.

Prof. Lyon now lives in Vancouver with his wife, Nonie, where they enjoy visits from their six adult children and their families.

He welcomes comments on Power Shift at vaughanlyon@shaw.ca or through www.democracynow.ca