Faculty Profile - Michael Atkinson

• About
• Grants / Awards
• Research & Publications
• Courses

Michael Atkinson’s entire academic career has involved public policy and political institutions as a researcher, teacher and commentator. He began in a conventional way, working mostly on parliamentary institutions in the Canadian provinces and at the federal level. In the 1980s his energies shifted toward public policy, especially industrial policy, and he co-authored, with William Coleman, papers and a UT Press book that argued for a policy networks approach within a political economy framework. In the 1990s Atkinson shifted once again, this time toward the study of political corruption and political ethics. His interest in this topic goes back to graduate student days, but he has pursued it with more attention during the last several years, seeking answers to behavioural questions. In the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School these various strands of work have come together. Research with his colleague Murray Fulton has emphasized a behavioural economics approach to public sector management issues, such as compensation, and to political ethics; his teaching has alternated between public administration and higher education policy. As executive director, he has been able to draw on his experience as the provost of the University of Saskatchewan to facilitate relations with government and help establish the school as a genuine collaboration between the provinces’ two universities.

Download Michael Atkinson's abridged CV.

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Designations

• PhD, Carleton University
• MA, Carleton University
• BA, University of Alberta

Areas of Interest

• Political institutions (institutional theory, rational choice)
• Public policy (business-state relations, industrial policy, labour market adjustment, science and technology)
• Political corruption (theories of corruption, comparative studies of conflict of interest regulation, attitudinal research)

Recent Grants/Awards

Winner with Gerald Bierling of the McMenemy Prize for the best article published in the Canadian Journal of Political Science in 2005

• Winner with William Coleman of the Charles H. Levine Memorial Award for The State, Business and Industrial Change in Canada. Presented by the Structure of Government Research Committee of the International Political Science Association for the best book published in 1989 in public policy and administration, 1990
• Winner with William Coleman of the Max Bell Business-Government Studies Program Essay Prize ($5,000) for "Is There a Crisis in Business-Government Relations?" 1987
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Leave Fellowship, 1982-83
• McMaster Students' Union Teaching Award, 1979 (University-wide runner-up); faculty finalist 1982, 1986
• Listed in Canada's Who's Who since 1987

Recent Research Funding:

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "Political Ethics in Canada: An attitudinal study," $75,000, 1995-97 (with Maureen Mancuso [principal investigator], André Blais, Ian Greene, and Neil Nevitte).
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "Political Ethics in Canada: An attitudinal study," $75,000, 1995-97 (with Maureen Mancuso [principal investigator], André Blais, Ian Greene, and Neil Nevitte).
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "The Politics of Agricultural Finance: A comparative study," $77,000, 1993-95 (with William D. Coleman [principal investigator] and Grace Skogstad)
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "The Formation of Industrial Policy in Canada, Phase II", $17,300, 1984-85 (with W.D. Coleman [Atkinson and Coleman principal investigators])
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "The Formation of Industrial Policy in Canada", $14,965, 1983-84 (with W.D. Coleman [Atkinson and Coleman principal investigators])
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), "Industrial Policymaking in Canada", $7,000, 1982-83 (with W.D. Coleman [Atkinson and Coleman principal investigators])
• Research Grant, Arts Research Board, "Social Spending: How Are the Provinces Managing Their Budgets," $3,375, 1993-94
• Publication subvention, Social Science Federation of Canada, $4,400, 1988
• Research grant, Arts Research Board, "Canadian Space Policy: The Future of State Direction", $1,170, 1987-88
• Research grant, Arts Research Board, $1,800, "Becoming a Cabinet Minister in Canada", 1982-83
• International Travel Grant, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), November 1983, for a paper delivered in Florence, Italy, European Group for Organization Studies
• Research grant. Arts Research Board, "The New Fighter Aircraft Decisions", $1,200, 1980 (with K.R. Nossal)
• Institute of Public Administration of Canada, "The New Fighter Aircraft Acquisition", $1,900, 1979 (with K.R. Nossal)

Select Publications

Books

• Maureen Mancuso, Michael M. Atkinson, André Blais, Ian Greene, and Neil Nevitte, A Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out, Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2006, 212 pp. First edition, 1998.
• Michael M. Atkinson, ed., Governing Canada: Institutions and Public Policy Toronto: Harcourt Brace, 1993, 387 pp.
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, The State, Business and Industrial Change in Canada Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1989, 236 pp.
• Michael M. Atkinson and Marsha A. Chandler, eds. The Politics of Canadian Public Policy Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1983, 283 pp.
• Robert J. Jackson and Michael M. Atkinson, The Canadian Legislative System: Politicians and Policymaking Gage, l980, 222 pp. Original edition published by Macmillan, 1974. Parts reprinted in Thomas Hockin, ed., The Apex of Power Toronto: Prentice Hall, 1977. 

Chapters

• Michael M. Atkinson and David Docherty, "Parliament and Political Success in Canada," in Michael Whittington and Glen Williams, eds., Canadian Politics in the New Millennium 7th ed. Toronto: Nelson, 2007, pp. 5-35. 6th edition, 2004; original chapter, 2000.
• Michael M. Atkinson and Cassandra Pervin, "Sector Councils and Sectoral Corporatism: Viable? Desirable?" in Morley Gunderson and Andrew Sharpe, eds., The Emergence of Sector Councils Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1998, pp. 271-94
• Michael M. Atkinson, "The Integrity Agenda: Lead Us Not Into Temptation," in Susan Phillips, ed., How Ottawa Spends 1995-96: Mid Life Crises Ottawa: Carleton University Press, 1995, pp. 237-62
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Parliamentary Government in Canada," in Michael Whittington and Glen Williams, eds., Canadian Politics in the 1990s 4th ed. Toronto: Nelson, 1995, pp. 360-81. Original essay published in 1981; 2nd edition 1984; 3rd edition, 1990
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Introduction: Governing Canada," in Governing Canada, 1993, pp. 1-16
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Public Policy and the New Institutionalism," in Governing Canada, 1993, pp. 17-45
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Federalism and Industrial Policy," in William Chandler and Christian Zollner, eds., Challenges to Federalism Kingston: Institute for Intergovernmental Relations, Queen's University, 1989, pp. 63-75
• Michael M Atkinson and Maureen Mancuso, "MP's Vice: Is a Code of Conduct Needed?" in R J. Jackson et. al eds., Contemporary Canadian Politics Scarborough Ont.: Prentice-Hall, 1987, pp. 162-64
• Michael M Atkinson, "Bureaucracy and Industrial Policy," in André Blais ed., Industrial Policy University of Toronto Press, 1986, pp. 259-92
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Corporatism and Industrial Policy," in Allan Cawson ed., Organized Interests and the State: Studies in Meso-Corporatism Beverly Hills Calif.: Sage, 1985, pp. 22-44
• Michael M Atkinson, "If You Can't Beat Them: World Product Mandates and Canadian Industrial Policy," in D. Cameron and F. Houle eds., Canada and the New Industrial Division of Labour Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1985, pp. 125-44
• Michael M Atkinson and Marsha A Chandler, "Strategies for Policy Research," in Atkinson and Chandler eds., The Politics of Canadian Public Policy, pp. 3-19
• Ari Abonyi and Michael M. Atkinson, "Technological Innovation and Industrial Policy: Canada in an International Context," in Atkinson and Chandler eds., The Politics of Canadian Public Policy,
• pp. 93-126
• Michael M. Atkinson and Graham White, "The Development of Provincial Legislatures," in Harold D Clarke et. al. eds., Parliament, Policy and Representation Toronto: Methuen, 1980, pp. 255-7

Refereed Articles

• Michael M. Atkinson and Gerald Bierling, "Politicians, the Public and Political Ethics: Worlds Apart," Canadian Journal of Political Science 38 (December 2005): 1003-1029
• Michael M. Atkinson and Gerald Bierling, "Is There Convergence in Provincial Spending Priorities?" Canadian Public Policy 24 (March 1998): 71-89
• William D. Coleman, Michael M. Atkinson and Eric Montpetit, "Against the Odds: Retrenchment in Agriculture in France and the United States," World Politics 49 (July 1997): 453-81. Reprinted in Wyn Grant and Hanspeter Kriesi, eds. Agricultural Policy, Vol II  (Cheltenham, Glos.: Edward Elgar, 2001)
• William Coleman, Grace Skogstad and Michael M. Atkinson, "Paradigm Shifts and Policy Networks: Cumulative Change in Agriculture," Journal of Public Policy 16 (October 1997): 273-301. Reprinted in Wyn Grant, ed., Agricultural Policy (Cheltenham, Glos.: Edward Elgar, 2000)
• Michael M. Atkinson, "What Kind of Democracy Do Canadians Want?" Canadian Journal of Political Science 27 (December 1994): 717-45. Reprinted in Metin Heper, et. al., eds., Institutions and Democratic Statecraft (Boulder, Col.: Westview, l997)
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Obstacles to Organizational Change: The Creation of the Canadian Space Agency," Canadian Public Administration 36 (Summer 1993): 129-52
• Michael M. Atkinson and Paul G. Thomas, "Studying the Canadian Parliament," Legislative Studies Quarterly 18 (August 1993): 423-51
• Michael M. Atkinson and Maureen Mancuso, "Edicts and Etiquette: Regulating Conflict of Interest in Congress and the House of Commons," Corruption and Reform 7 (1992): 1-18. Reprinted in Robert Williams, ed. The Politics of Corruption (Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2000)
• Michael M. Atkinson and David C. Docherty, "Moving Right Along: The Roots of Amateurism in the Canadian House of Commons," Canadian Journal of Political Science 25 (June 1992): 295-318. Reprinted in Korean Journal of Canadian Studies, December, 1994
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Policy Networks, Policy Communities and the Problems of Governance," Governance 5 (April 1992): 154-80. Revised and reprinted in Laurent Doubasinkas, Michael Howlett and David Laycock, eds., Policy Studies in Canada: The State of the Art (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996)
• Michael M. Atkinson and Maureen Mancuso, "Conflict of Interest in Britain and the United States: An Institutional Argument," Legislative Studies Quarterly 16 (November 1991): 471-93
• Michael M. Atkinson and Robert A. Nigol, "Selecting Policy Instruments: Neo-Institutional and Rational Choice Interpretations of Automobile Insurance in Ontario," Canadian Journal of Political Science 22 (March 1989): 107-35
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Strong States and Weak States: Sectoral Policy Networks in Advanced Capitalist Economies," British Journal of Political Science 19 (Winter 1989): 47-67. Reprinted in Wyn Grant, ed., Industrial Policy (Aldershot: Edward Elgar, 1995)
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Academics and Public Policy: The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada," Governance 1 (April 1988): 205-09
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Is There a Crisis in Business-Government Relations?" Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences 14 (December 1987): 321-40
• Michael M. Atkinson and Richard D. Powers, "Inside the Industrial Policy Garbage Can: Selective Subsidies to Business in Canada," Canadian Public Policy 13 (June 1987): 208-17
• Michael M. Atkinson and Maureen Mancuso, "Do We Need a Code of Conduct for Politicians? The Search for an Elite Political Culture of Corruption in Canada," Canadian Journal of Political Science 28 (September 1985): 460-80
• Michael M. Atkinson and William D. Coleman, "Bureaucrats and Politicians in Canada: An Examination of the Political Administration Model," Comparative Political Studies 18 (April 1985): 58-80
• Michael M. Atkinson, "On the Prospects for Industrial Policy in Canada," Canadian Public Administration 27 (Fall 1984): 454-67
• Michael M. Atkinson and Kim Richard Nossal, "Bureaucratic Politics and the New Fighter Aircraft Decisions," Canadian Public Administration 24 (Winter 1981): 531-58
• Michael M. Atkinson, W.D. Coleman and T.J. Lewis, "Regime Support in Canada: A Comment," British Journal of Political Science 10 (July 1980): 252-60
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Comparing Legislatures: The Policy Role of Backbenchers in Ontario and Nova Scotia", Canadian Journal of Political Science 13 (March 1980): 55-76. Parts reprinted in Sylvia Bashevkin ed., Canadian Political Behaviour (Toronto: Methuen, 1985)
• Michael M. Atkinson and Kim Richard Nossal, "Executive Power and Committee Autonomy in the Canadian House of Commons: Leadership Selection, 1968-79," Canadian Journal of Political Science 13 (June 1980): 287-308
• Michael M. Atkinson, "Reform and Inertia in the Nova Scotia Assembly," Journal of Canadian Studies 14 (Summer 1979): 133-41
• Michael M. Atkinson, "The Policy Interests of Backbenchers and the Effects of Political Ambition," Legislative Studies Quarterly 3 (November 1978): 629-46
• R.J. Jackson, Michael M. Atkinson, and K.D. Hart, "Constitutional Conflict in France: Deputies' Attitudes Toward Executive-Legislative Relations," Comparative Politics 9 (July 1977): 399-420

Non-Refereed Articles

• Michael Atkinson, "Should Canada Create Elite Universities?" Policy Options March 2008
• Michael Atkinson, "Why Canadian Universities are Better Than Charged," Literary Review of Canada January/February 2003: 12-14
• R.J. Jackson, Michael M. Atkinson, and K.D. Hart, "Political Cleavage and the Use of Violence: Attitudes of the Legislative Elite in France," Indian Journal of Political Science 46 (July-September 1985): 253-71

Current Courses

• PUBP 801 - Governance and Administration
• PUBP 830 - Decision Making in Organizations