The Klein Revolution

Eric P. Mintz is an associate professor of political science at Sir
Wilfred Grenfell College, The Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Although several provincial governments have talked about reducing the
role of government in recent years, the Alberta government of Ralph
Klein was the first to systematically engage in large-scale cutbacks in
government spending. The success of the “Klein revolution” in
mobilizing considerable popular support for government cutbacks has
encouraged other provinces to engage in similar actions.

Edmonton Journal columnist Mark Lisac has written what he describes as
a “personal account” of Klein and recent Alberta politics. Each
chapter begins with a reprinted column, which is then elaborated upon as
the author imagines himself explaining the situation to muckraking
American journalist Lincoln Steffens. Although the book provides some
interesting insights, the analysis is not developed adequately. Lisac
sees the Klein government as one that has lost a sense of decency in its
zeal to pursue global competitiveness. In his desire to “avoid
preaching,” Lisac fails to develop such criticisms into a sustained
critique.

At best, this book whets the reader’s appetite for a more
comprehensive analysis of the Klein revolution.