Being based at the world's most diverse city, whose citizens have deep ties to the four corners of the world, it is indeed surprising that not a single book of note has been written by UofT social scientists of the past couple of decades on salient issues of our time.  Nowhere is this lack of ambition and complacency on greater display than in international affairs. When was the last time a quotable book and readable book was written at UofT on important countries such as the U.S., China, Germany, the EU, West Asia (Iran, Turkey, etc.)? Having examined the intellectual output of UofT social scientists, it's safe to say that salient issues are precisely the ones that are avoided. How about condition of international institutions such as the UN, World Bank, NATO, etc.? What a waste of potential.