The Government Generation: Canadian Intellectuals and the State, 1900-1945

Greg Turko is a policy analyst at the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and
Universities.

Doug Owram has written an extensive and detailed analysis of the role of intellectuals in the Canadian state from 1900 to 1945. In the course of his discussion he has also dealt with the dramatic growth of the state in this period, in particular the growth of the regulated welfare state.

He charts the role of intellectuals in a variety of situations throughout this period. Thus, for example, he deals with intellectuals’ reaction to urbanization (many opposed it), the Great Depression and the two world wars, to name three. There are many others. These events were significant in their own night; but overall, Owram has shown, they serve to demonstrate the growing influence of intellectuals on policy and in government. Intellectuals, in this period, were quickly ceasing to be relatively passive ‘philosophical’ observers and were becoming active participants in making and implementing policy.

For those interested in the history of the growth of intellectuals’ involvement with the state, Owram has provided an interesting discussion. Initially, small numbers of intellectuals debated policy, or more correctly philosophy, in limited circulation journals. (At the turn of the century there appear to be trends or schools of one, at times. To put it another way, this field was such that one individual could, and often did, dominate the debate). By 1945 many more intellectuals were decidedly in the ranks of government. Through this transformation the intellectuals had redefined the state and their role in it in a few short years.

This book is not easy reading for anyone not thoroughly familiar with the specifics of the events covered. Many readers will probably be overwhelmed by the torrent of details and documentation Owram uses to build and support his case. One almost wishes that he had written two books; one discussing the evolution and growth of intellectuals’ influence in government and the other examining how it worked through case studies. However, those who do read this work, will, without doubt, have a much clearer appreciation of how the modern Canadian state has grown and how intellectuals figured in this growth.