Description
Book SynopsisThe Politics of War analyzes the impact of political elites, Parliament, and public opinion on Canada’s mission in Afghanistan to demonstrate how much of Canada’s involvement was shaped by the vagaries of domestic politics.
Trade ReviewAlthough written by political scientists, this book is very accessible to students of the campaign in Afghanistan—whether they be academics, military personnel, or the general reader. It is highly recommended for the view of the “home game” it provides and as a reflection of the military “away game” being played out overseas.
-- Ken Reynolds * Canadian Military History Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 *
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction: The Domestic Politics of Canada’s Afghanistan Mission
1 The Away Game: Canadians in Afghanistan
2 The War That Wasn’t: Framing the Mission
3 Home Pitch: Selling Afghanistan to Canadians
4 Parliament’s Role: Laundering the Mission
5 Don’t Mention the War: Electoral Politics and Bipartisanship
6 Detainee Games: The Politics of Distraction
7 Did Minority Government Matter? A Counterfactual Analysis
8 An Unpopular Mission: Public Opinion and Afghanistan
9 The Politics of Casualties: Evaluating the “Trenton Effect”
10 Failure to Launch: Public Mobilization and the War in Afghanistan
Conclusion: Though Poppies Grow
Notes; Index
