William Christian (political scientist)

William Christian (born August 23, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio; died January 14, 2005, in Sackville, New Brunswick) was a Canadian political scientist specializing in Canadian political thought and ideology. He was a prominent figure in the field and made significant contributions to the understanding of conservatism, liberalism, and socialism in the Canadian context.

Christian received his B.A. from Ohio State University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He taught political science at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) for many years before moving to Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, where he spent the remainder of his academic career.

His scholarly work is characterized by a deep engagement with the history of political thought and its application to contemporary Canadian politics. He is particularly known for his rigorous analysis of the distinct characteristics of Canadian political culture and its differences from the American model.

Among his most influential publications are:

• An Introduction to Political Theory (multiple editions), a widely used textbook.
• Political Parties and Ideologies in Canada (multiple editions), co-authored with Colin Campbell. This book examined the ideological positions and development of Canadian political parties.
• Numerous journal articles and book chapters on topics ranging from the role of ideas in politics to the analysis of specific Canadian political thinkers.

Christian was known as a dedicated teacher and mentor, and he played an active role in the Canadian academic community. He contributed significantly to shaping the field of Canadian political thought and influencing generations of students. His work continues to be relevant to scholars and students interested in understanding the complexities of Canadian politics and ideology.