Reading George Grant in the 21st Century

George Grant (1918-1988) was one of Canada’s foremost public philosophers.

Though his thought arose out of reflection on the history of political philosophy, pressing political concerns were never far from view.

He was particularly adept at locating the causes of political developments in philosophical movements that were centuries in the making.

This book reassesses his ideas in light of philosophical and political developments of recent decades, including the resurgence of nationalism, criticisms of globalization and technocracy, and the ideological realignments having a particularly noticeable effect on right-wing politics.

The contemporary reader of Grant is thus able to reflect on his broader criticisms of modernity from within a slightly different historical articulation of modernity.

Though George Grant died in 1988, the philosophical themes in his work remain relevant into the 21st century.