The new Canadian Journal of Political Philosophy recently launched its first issue which is now available online.

Dedicated to the study of political philosophy in the Canadian and international context, the Open Access journal explores contemporary Canadian political issues and debates as well as social and cultural themes.

The editorial advisory board includes important Canadian political philosophers such as Michael Ignatieff and John Ralston Saul, and Brock political philosophers Stefan Dolgert and Leah Bradshaw (emerita).

Professor of Educational Studies Trevor Norris, Co-Founder and co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal, says the Canadian Journal of Political Philosophy is supporting the revitalization of the study of political philosophy.

Norris says there is a long and vibrant history of political thought in Canada.

“Canada holds tremendous intellectual resources and a robust intellectual tradition that is often overlooked due to an unwarranted Canadian modesty. There is an even greater need for such a scholarly community in the context of unprecedented threats to Canada’s national sovereignty. This journal aims to show that political philosophy in Canada presents robust, important and unique perspectives that can help articulate and invigorate Canadian intellectual culture,” he says.

The inaugural issue explores questions about what Canadian political philosophy is, and what kinds of political ideas can help sustain Canada and its politics in the face of new and old challenges.

The inaugural issue features an article by Gad Horowitz, who famously coined the phrase “Red Tory” to describe the unique political orientation that differentiates Canadian from American political culture, and an essay by Mark Kingwell which explores what it means to say that Canada is a “Postnational” country.

The online journal also features video discussions between contributors, kicking off with Arthur Kroker, co-founder of the pioneering Canadian Journal of Political and Social Theory which reflects on 1970s Canadian intellectual life, the founding of an independent, interdisciplinary journal against the grain of professionalized academia, and its evolution through feminism, postmodernism, and the more recent digital turn.

Future plans for the Canadian Journal of Political Philosophy include special issues on Janet Azjenstat’s vision of the Canadian Founders and Founding documents, and George Grant’s exploration of the distinct conception of technology that emerges from the Canadian context.

Norris says the journal looks forward to serving as a forum for the explorations of Canadas’ intellectual heritage, current contributions to political thought, and conceptual articulations of Canadian identity in the years ahead