'For students of Canadian politics, this is one of the few books that analyzes free trade politics in terms of the dynamic interplay between the so-called popular sector and the governing institutions, the state, and other social and political actors. Ayres has made a major contribution in advancing our thinking about social movements, and his discussion of "transnational and popular democracy" makes this book very useful for scholars interested in collective campaigns that transcend national borders.' --The Journal of Politics 'Ayres provides a theoretically informed, and empirically grounded account of the coalition against free trade and manages to do so in a readable and lively fashion.' --Stephen McBride, author of the award winning Not Working: State, Unemployment, and Neo-Conservatism in Canada 'This is an important book by a talented young scholar. Ayres demonstrates how new actors, using unconventional repertoires of action, are changing the Canadian political scene. As the same time, he adds to the lively field of social movement theory by his integrative approach.' --Mildred A. Schwartz, University of Illinois at Chicago 'Defying Conventional Wisdom provides a crisp and thoughtful account of political phenomena still fresh in the memories of the Canadian public, relevant to ongoing policy-making processes and available to be mined for insights as various scholarly debates continue.

' --Robert Everett, York University 'Jeffrey Ayres's new book does the unlikely: It employs social movement theory to explicate the emergence and dynamics of an anti-NAFTA movement in Canada. Explaining this fascinating movement with skill and despatch, Ayres offers useful amendments to the theory he uses and reveals both the originality and the diffusion of Canadian opposition to North American economic integration. Both Canadians and their neighbors will do well to reflect upon both the story he tells and his superb way of telling it.' --Sidney Tarrow, Cornell University.