Description
Book SynopsisThe Paradox of Parliament addresses the widespread and perennial dissatisfaction with Parliament in Canada.
Table of Contents1. Introduction Explanations for Parliament’s Problems Paradox and the Competing Logics Conclusion 2. Historical Foundations and the Competing Logics Indigenous Peoples and Legislative Representation The Early Development of Canadian Legislatures The Logic of Governance The Logic of Representation Attempting to Reconcile the Logics: “Every Reform Creates A New Problem” Reforms of the 1960s–1980s The 1990s: The Reform Party and Paul Martin’s “Democratic Deficit” The 2004–2011 Minority Era and Beyond Consensus Legislatures Canada in Comparative Perspective Conclusion 3. Parties Canadian Political Parties: An Overview The Weakness of Canadian Parties Party Discipline: Is Canada Exceptional? Party Discipline in Practice “Excessive” Discipline Party Discipline and the Party System Parties in Minority Governments Electoral Systems and Parties Conclusion 4. MPs Why Do MPs Run? Who Gets Elected as an MP? Gender and Race Socioeconomic and Occupational Backgrounds Age Learning to Be an MP MPs in the House MPs in the Constituency Life as an MP: The Personal Dimension Managing Their Public Roles Managing Their Personal Lives MP Pay Staffing An MP’s Day Departure, Turnover, and “Amateurism” Conclusion 5. House of Commons Business The Roles The Speaker The Clerk and Procedural Staff House Leaders and Whips The Setting The Chamber and Decorum The Parliamentary Day The House of Commons at Work: Four Aspects Government Bills and Debate Question Period Private Members Business Opposition Days and Confidence/Non-confidence Motions Process in Minority Parliaments Committees Conclusion 6. Diversity Persons with Disabilities LGBT Persons Women in Parliament Women in the Senate Women in the House Figure 9.1 Women in the House of Commons since 1968 (%) Women as Legislators Race Symbolic Descriptive Table 9.1 Racialized MPs in the House of Commons Compared to General Population Substantive Conclusion 7. The Senate Bicameralism A Brief Description of the Senate History of the Senate Senate Reform The Senate since 2016 8. Scrutiny Scrutiny in Theory and Practice Parliament and Money Officers of Parliament Parliamentary Scrutiny: How Far Can It Go? Parliament’s Access to Documents and People Conclusion 9. The Future of Parliament Technological Sociological Citizen Attitudes Conclusion
