Significant shifts in the dynamics of citizen-state relations have taken place throughout the advanced industrial world over the last two decades or so, and a growing body of evidence suggests that these reorientations have been shaped by value changes among publics. On these two broad themes there is a consensus. But this consensus fragments when it comes to providing answers to second-order questions, such as What are the causes of these transformations? What are the most important dimensions of these value changes? What are their implications? And How can the consequence of some of these shifts be addressed?

In Value Change and Governance in Canada, six contributors from political science and psychology come together to discuss these issues, and look at changes in the ways citizens view democracy, governments, and legislation. As part of the Trends Series to examine Canadian public policy from the point of view of academia, this book explores important changes in modern society and will be an essential resource for future Canadian policy development.