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Compared to the United States it is assumed that religion has not been a signicant factor in Canadas political development. In Gods Province Clark Banack challenges this assump- tion showing that in Alberta religious motiva- tion has played a vital role in shaping its political trajectory. For Henry Wise Wood president of the United Farmers of Alberta from 1916 until 1931 William Bible Bill Aberhart founder of the Alberta Social Credit Party and premier from 1935 until 1943 Aberharts protg Ernest Manning Albertas longest serving premier 19431968 and Mannings son Preston founder of the Alberta-based federal Reform Party of Canada religion was central to their thinking about human agency the purpose of politics the role of the state the nature of the economy and the proper duties of citizens. Drawing on substantial archival research and in-depth interviews Gods Province highlights the strong link that exists between the religiously inspired political thought and action of these form- ative leaders the US evangelical Protestant tradi- tion from which they drew and the emergence of an individualistic populist and anti-statist senti- ment in Alberta that is largely unfamiliar to the rest of Canada. Covering nearly a century of Albertas history Banack offers an illuminating reconsideration of the political thought of these leaders the goals of the movements they led and the roots of Albertas distinctiveness within Canada. A fusion of reli- gious history intellectual history and political thought Gods Province exposes the ways in which individual politicians have shaped one provinces political culture. Carefully researched and effectively argued Gods Province provides a balanced and convinc- ing argument about the complex sometimes sub- tle yet often signicant ways in which religion has inuenced Albertas political leaders and shaped the provinces political character and trajectory. Steve Patten University of Alberta Clark Banack is assistant professor of political science at York University. 3 M Q U P S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E C A N A D I A N H I S T O R Y Gods Province Evangelical Christianity Political Thought and Conservatism in Alberta clark banack A groundbreaking exploration of the religious roots of Alberta conservatism. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S June 2016 978-0-7735-4714-8 34.95T 34.95A 23.99 cloth 6 x 9 360pp 7 tables Ebook available