The French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville expressed great hope and admiration for the United States in his seminal 1835 study Democracy in America. In many ways the country went on to succeed beyond his wildest dreams as both a model for democracy and its greatest defender. But Tocqueville had a nightmare vision of America too, populated by statists and demagogues, competing for the votes of ignorant, irresponsible citizens. In the 2016 election campaign, writes Trevor Shelley, Tocqueville’s worst fears are being realized.

Another too-close-to-call election looms. But one poll remains consistent: most Canadians believe conservatives care less for the poor and downtrodden than do progressives. Trevor Shelley reviews Arthur C. Brooks’ The Conservative Heart and shows how conservative principles are responsible for curtailing global poverty and increasing general human happiness.

It is hard to overstate the political upheaval that occurred in Alberta’s May 5 election. The NDP soared from four seats to a 54-seat majority. Wildrose grew from five seats to a 22-seat Official Opposition. And the PCs plummeted from 70 seats to 10. A 44-year-dynasty ended, certainly, but according to Trevor Shelley, so did a 110-year-old tradition of dynastic politics. Its likely successor, writes Shelley, is a two-party state, sharply defined as progressive vs conservative, in accord with Tocqueville’s democratic ideal, the rule in most Canadian provinces, and the apparent trend in Ottawa.