Who We Are: A Citizen's Manifesto - Hardcover

Griffiths, Rudyard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1553651243 ISBN 13: 9781553651246

Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre, 2009

Synopsis

Canadians have come to embrace their country as a postmodern state” a nation that downplays its history and makes few demands on its citizens, allowing them to find their allegiances where they may in their region, their ethnic heritage or the language they speak. The notion of a Canadian national identity, with shared responsibilities and a common purpose, is considered out of date, even a disadvantage in a borderless world of transnational economies, resurgent regions and global immigration.

In his timely and provocative book Who We Are, Rudyard Griffiths argues that this vision of Canada is an intellectual and practical dead end. Without a strong national identity, and robust Canadian civic values and engagement, the country will be hard pressed to meet the daunting challenges that lie ahead: the social costs of an aging population, the unavoidable effects of global warming and the fallout of a dysfunctional immigration system.

What’s needed is a rediscovery of the founding principles that made Canada the nation it is today, core values that can form a civic creed for our own times. In a passionate call to revitalize our shared Canadian citizenship, Griffiths reminds us of who we are and what we’ve accomplished.

About this title

About the Author

Rudyard Griffiths is the cofounder of the Dominion Institute, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of history and civic literacy. He is a regular TV commentator on national affairs and a columnist with the National Post. In 2006, the Globe and Mail called him one of Canada ’s “Top 40 Under 40.” He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Review

"Who We Are's diagnosis of the postnational predicament is compelling, refreshing and highly relevant...While Who We Are doesn't present all the answers, it does us an enormous service by opening up the debate. Taking on myths might seem very un-Canadian, but in writing this book, Griffiths distinguishes himself as one of the very best Canadians of his generation." (Globe & Mail)

"[Griffiths] book melds logical clarity with truly excellent prose." (Inside Queen's Park)

"Who We Are: A Citizen's Manifesto isn't only about who we are but also about who, in Griffiths' opinion, we ought to be." (National Post)

"In this provocative work, Griffiths argues that at this critical juncture Canadians need to rediscover our country's founding principles -- robust civic values and social solidarity -- so that we can create a movement of passionate citizenship, one which will keep us accountable not just to our neighbourhoods and cities, but to our country." (Argyle Magazine)

"Who We Are is a bold and sometimes provocative book: while rejecting crude nationalism, Griffiths insists that multicultural Canada in a complicated, often volatile world is best served by a more robust idea of citizenship and a stronger allegiance to its traditions and institutions...it is...the starting point of a conversation that we can only ignore at our peril." (The Walrus)

"In his new book Who We Are...Rudyard Griffiths challenges Canadians to rediscover the founding principals of Canadian nationhood and revitalize our sense of citizenship." (Financial Post)

"An eloquent and hard-headed argument for reinventing a shared vision of what it means to be Canadian." (Margaret Wente)

"A genuine cri de coeur...for a new and better Canada written by one of the brightest stars of the rising generation." (J.L. Granatstein)

"A must-read for every Canadian concerned about where we are headed as a nation." (Rick Mercer)

About this edition

• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1553651243
• ISBN 13: 9781553651246
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224