8. Political Parties

Political Parties

Political entities that run candidates in elections to ultimately shape government policy and laws.

Dominance of Political Parties

Arguably the most dominant political actors in the Canadian political system.

Functions of Political Parties

Recruit candidates, fundraise, aggregate interests, develop policy, run election campaigns, coordinate legislative agendas, and facilitate accountability.

Elite (Cadre) Parties

Small parties run by and for people with high social status, limited membership, with the goal to organize legislative votes.

Example of Elite Parties

Conservative Party and Liberal Party circa 1867.

Mass Parties

Parties oriented towards grassroots with high membership, aimed at reforming society.

Example of Mass Parties

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in the 1930s.

Catch-All Parties

Parties that aim to win elections by bridging ideological divisions and appealing to the broadest base of electoral support possible.

Brokerage Parties

Parties that aim to win elections by bridging geographical divisions and minimizing cleavages.

Characteristics of Brokerage Parties

Less likely to be present at provincial levels; federal Liberals and PCs/Conservatives have acted as both catch-all and brokerage parties.

Other Types of Parties

Includes brokerage parties, ideological parties, single-issue parties, and protest parties.

Policy-Seeking

Maximize impact on public policy.

Office-Seeking

Maximize access to executive office, even at the expense of policy objectives or future electoral prospects.

Vote-Seeking

Maximize electoral support.

Party Ideology

A set of ideas that form a coherent political belief system.

Left-Wing Ideology

Advocates for a bigger role for government and proactive measures to achieve social and economic equality.

Right-Wing Ideology

Emphasizes a smaller role for government and greater emphasis on individual responsibility and market-based competition.

Democratic Socialism

Left-wing, collectivist ideology promoting more government intervention and assistance for those most in need.

Liberalism

Left-wing (or centre-left), individualist ideology focusing on equal opportunity rather than equality of result.

Business Liberalism

Focus on economy within the framework of liberalism.

Welfare Liberalism

Focus on social policy within the framework of liberalism.

Conservatism

Right-wing, collectivist…ish ideology with economic conservatives advocating for markets and smaller government.

Economic Conservatives

Markets and smaller government.

Social Conservatives

Traditional values, often religious.

Toryism

Collectivists who believe in 'social fabric' of society.

Libertarianism

Right-wing, individualist.

Libertarianism

More individual responsibility, smaller government, lower taxes, laissez-faire, but UBI.

Corporate Welfare

No room for 'corporate welfare.'

Party Systems

A constellation of political parties guided by a unique framework of party behavior.

First Party System

1867-1917, stable two-party system.

Second Party System

1921-1957, emergence of mass parties (SoCred. CCF) and main parties moved to brokerage model.

Third Party System

1962-1993, brokerage politics facilitated by media, two-party plus.

1993 Onwards

A stable party system, or a long period of transition with enormous flux and instability.

Competitive Parties

5 competitive parties.

Provincial Party Systems

One-party dominant systems.

Two-party Brokerage Systems

Ex: Atlantic Canada (Liberals vs PCs).

Polarized Two-party Systems

Ex: BC (NDP vs Liberals).

Two-and-a-half Party Systems

Ex: Manitoba.

Three-party Systems

Ex: Ontario.

Integrated Parties

Federal and provincial political parties whose behaviors and organization are interconnected.

Confederal Parties

Federal and provincial parties that operate autonomously from each other.

Truncated Party

Federal or provincial party that doesn't have a similarly named party at the other level of government.

Partisan Affiliation

Parliamentary Wing: represent the party in legislature.

Extra-Parliamentary Wing

Members and those in the Party machine.

Partisans

Have a psychological attachment to the party, whether or not they have any formal role.

Party Caucus

All members of a political party who hold a seat in the legislature.

Crossing the Floor

A situation in which a member of the legislature leaves one political party to join another.

Electoral District Association (EDA)

The local organization of a political party operating within the boundaries of an election riding.

The Party Machine

Professional, paid employees of political parties outside of the parliamentary wing.

Party Leaders

Chief public official, primary spokesperson, ultimate decision-maker.