A bit like Staline, Ignatieff would not hesitate to put individuals in prison if it means that his Party appears popular in all regions of the country, including the most remote, conservative and oil-rich ones.
Even in a democracy, a leader should endeavor to put the population face to face with its contradictions. As the next best chameleon man, Ignatieff will not at all be up to this task.
Usually, a Ph.D in history open his carrier less opportunities than a M.SC in economics. But if one writes enough books flattering the West for its hegemony, this can be reversed.