2007 Donald Smiley Prize

Winner: Garth Stevenson (Brock University)

Parallel Paths: The Development of Nationalism in Ireland and Quebec (Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2006)

Excerpt from jury report: Parallel Paths is an intellectually bold foray into the history of nationalism in Ireland and Quebec. Garth Stevenson’s thoughtful and systematic comparison of the development of these two societies from their origins as rebels within the British Empire, yields rich insights into the study of nationalism as well as the present political choices facing the two nations. Stevenson illuminates the effect that Quebec’s early achievement of self-government within the Canadian federation had on its later pursuit of independence in contrast with Ireland’s failure to secure home rule within the United Kingdom and its more volatile struggle for independence culminating in partition. By looking back, he captures the current dilemma facing Quebec and Ireland as they struggle to balance their historical national identities with more inclusive civic nationalities. Stevenson concludes that nationalism is a powerful, positive force in achieving the goals of political and social justice and tempering the effects of economic globalization and mass migration provided that it indulges neither xenophobic intolerance nor mindless diversification.