'John Pepall's arguments 'against reform,' are passionate, witty, and persuasive. He debunks everything from public relations to fixed terms and election dates to great effect, and is wonderfully critical of the half-baked theories held dear by rationalist political scientists. Against Reform will enliven the broader political discourse with its practical wisdom and great attention paid to real-world detail.' -- Barry Cooper, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary

In Against Reform, John Pepall offers a stringent critique of proposed reforms to Canada's political institutions. Examining electoral reform, an elected or provincially appointed Senate and reduced terms for Senators, fixed election dates, recall, initiative, and parliamentary reform, including 'free votes' and parliamentary confirmation of appointments, Pepall contends that these reforms are ill-conceived and would be harmful.

At the root of Pepall's critique is an argument that, in Canada today, too many voters are quick to blame institutions rather than their own conflicting interests and understandings when they do not receive what they want out of government. While considering influential factors such as academic and media bias, political fashion, and the American example, Pepall's unique and highly readable assessment takes aim at the practical and theoretical understandings of reform across party lines.