The principal characteristic of a democratic state is its adherence to the rule of law. In a modern setting, where there are diverse types of instruments of governing, consideration of the rule of law must be supplemented with discussion of the role of law. In the environment where legality, politics, and public administration intersect and interact, The Theory and Practice of Political Law addresses several questions such as:

• What is the predominant influence on the conduct of public affairs?
• To what extent does law influence governing?
• Does the impact of law always supplant politics or public policy and administration?
• How do legal rules operate in the legislative process?
• To what extent does legality influence the judicial process?

These are all fundamental matters of political law. This resource enables the reader, with examples in hand, to hold up a legal mirror to the practice of democracy in Canada. Gregory Tardi's book makes the point that among all the distinguishing characteristics of genuine democracy, the most fundamental is the observance of the rule of law and the seriousness of the role of law.

A must-have for anyone with an abiding interest in politics — lawyers, elected representatives, candidates for election, civil servants and their staff, judges, and students of law, political science, and Canadian studies.