What I Learned about Politics by Graham Steele

This is another excellent title that will primarily interest those who are passionate about politics. It was recommended to me by my boss, and as I am nothing if not a consummate suck-up, I immediately picked up a copy and read it. Turns out my boss makes great recommendations*

What I Learned about Politics is also a good companion volume to last week's What is Government Good At? While Donald Savoie looked at the dysfunctions of our democracy from an academic perspective, Graham Steele explores similar territory through the lens of an elected Nova Scotia MLA who served in opposition, the government backbench and Cabinet.

This is the ultimate insider's view of provincial politics, told with honesty, cynicism, and a surprising amount of self-awareness and good cheer.  He tells the story of his own political education from his early years as a backroom researcher for the NDP to the spectacular defeat of Darrel Dexter's NDP government in 2013. He details how he won his first nomination and election in Halifax Fairview; the role of the MLA; the nature of constituency work; the electoral victory in 2009 that brought the NDP to power; his work as a cabinet minister; his dramatic resignation from cabinet and subsequent reappointment; and his decision to leave politics.

For anyone even slightly interested in the day-to-day reality of an elected official, this book will be fascinating, covering both the rewards and frustrations of his role. Throughout he explains the rules of the game and why things are so difficult to change.

Best of all, Steele doesn't pull his punches, so I compiled a few of my favourite Steeleisms to share.

On the legislature: I have never worked in a place as thoroughly dysfunctional as the Nova Scotia legislature. Fifty-one grown-ups act in ways that, if repeated in their private lives, would end their personal relationships, and if repeated in other workplaces, would get them fired.

On platforms: Platforms are marketing documents, designed strictly to win votes. They are not serious attempts to come to grips with policy, nor are they financially realistic.

On reform: The parties manufacture differences for election purposes, then once they become government, they face the same challenges, options, and constraints as the last government, which leads to remarkably similar decisions.

On the dangers of working in politics: Being in politics makes you dumber, and the longer you're in politics, the dumber you get.  That's because you learn habits of behaviour and speech that serve political purposes but are at odds with the way normal people think and talk.

This sampling of quotes may leave you with an impression that Steele's outlook is bleak, but that is not true. If anything, he brings back an awareness of the important individual human element that is a powerful counterpoint to the grinding mechanism of political process.  But even with well-meaning and sincere leaders, we cannot expect the process to be self-correcting.  "It is not our politicians who will lead the change. The only person who can change our politics is the engaged citizen."

So if you are interested in being that engaged citizen who will demand better from the people who govern us, a good way to start would be reading What I Learned About Politics.  It will enlighten, enrage and engage.

Four smileys out of five: 😀😀😀😀

*Did you note the seamless double suck-up there, just in case he's reading?