Review by Choice Review
A superb study of the evolving governance of the city of Montreal and what motivates its politics today. Sancton, an academic who spent ten years gathering and compiling his material, demonstrates how before 1960 local government reflected and perpetuated the isolation of French and English; then, how the modernization of Quebec provincial politics, which took place after that date, changed the relationship between the two groups. At the same time, the author illustrates how the leadership of the English-speaking community, working with some French allies, effectively blocked metropolitan reorganization that would ultimately threaten the special position of the English. There are valuable descriptions of the political environment, the structure and operation of government both before and after 1960, and how school boards and social services are involved; there are extremely useful maps and tables interspersed throughout. Montreal is the ethnic, linguistic, and religious crucible of Canadian politics, and it provides significant lessons and insights for anyone interested in problems revolving around people of varied backgrounds living together in an urban environment. This excellent volume will appeal to students of comparative politics and urban studies-to say nothing of Canadianists who will benefit from the clearest and most straightforward exposition of Montreal politics that presently exits. College, university, and public library collections.-P. Regenstreif, University of Rochester
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
