Week 6 Readings

Political Parties

Publically organized groups of people who are motivated by some common set of political ideas. Common goal to have their particular members win public office so that those ideas can be put into practice.

Factions

Do not accept the legitimacy of the other group, and often form the sides in a civil war. Contrasted by parties, which are embedded by the regime, and accepted by others to have a legitimate right to govern, should they win the most seats in the legislature in an election.

Recruitment, fundraising, interest aggregation, policy development and political education.

Five Functions of Political Parties

Interest Aggregation

• It’s rare that Canadian voters have a single common interest — policy that is advantageous for some may not be for others.

• Without parties, MPs would be free to only vote for the best interests of their local constituents, which would place an unfair amount of federal power in the most demographically strong regions (Ontario and Quebec).

• Parties create a system where compromise/a less regionally concentrated middle ground is easier to form — integration of regional interests into a national whole

Ideology

A fundamental set of political principles that forms the basis of a party. Used as a basis to generate ideas about the purposes of government, how it should be organized, and what public policies should be implemented.

High Partisanship

A reasonable commitment to a set of political ideals that are related to the principles of the regime, as well as the hope that these ideals prevail in a fair contest of ideas and argument

Low Partisanship

Refers to the “retail”, practical part of politics — operations and actions that must be performed to get people into government. When this form of partisanship is the only form present, people find it objectionable — seen as getting power by any means and for no particularly worthy goal.

Pragmatism

The attempt to serve both an ideal and a practical purpose. In politics, this looks like steering a moderate course between powerless idealism (dedication to an ideological cause) and cynically unprincipled pursuit of power (no cause other than self-interest).

Socio-economic Matters

Main ideological division between Canadian parties.

Classical Liberalism

Dominant ideology at the time of Confederation, shared by both Liberal and Conservative parties of the time. Emphasizes the importance of individual liberty (freedom from gov. interference) and free market economy. These beliefs are now labelled “conservative”.

Social Conservativism

Share a belief with classical liberals/modern mainstream conservatives that the use of the power of the state should be conserved, particularly in relation to cultural change in society. Aim to conserve “traditional” cultural values.

Progressivism

Sees every person’s fate as bound up with that of the community, and believes that a state should play a large and active role in improving peoples’ lives. Want to protect people from the effects of illnesses, income loss, workplace danger. Pursuit of income equality as a means of fostering equality of opportunity.

Conservative Party

Founded by John A. MacDonald, combination of Quebec's “Bleus” and Ontario’s Liberal-Conservatives. Fraught relationship with Quebec and French Canada. More recently formed as a merger of the Reform Party/Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party.

Liberal Party

Founded by Wilfred Laurier. Strong connections with Quebec. Often called Canada’s “natural governing party” — more politically successful than any other.

NDP

Originated in the regional protest politics of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, began in reaction to the collapse of the prairie economy. Anti-elitist, sought to represent the working class and desparate farmers. Strong labor roots, progressive ideals, primary strength originating in Ontario and Western Canada.

Bloc Quebecois

Regional protest party, overrewarded by the SMP system because of geographic concentration of support. Only runs candidates in Quebec. Emerged in 1990 as a result of the defeat of Meech Lake Accords under Mulroney admin. No interest in forming national government.

Party Systems

The number and types of parties that a regime is likely to have given the various factors that influence parties: electoral system, party finance rules, federalism, political culture, etc.

Electoralist Party

Focused on managing election campaigns to win elections, rather than cultivating a large, stable mass membership. Adjust policy and ideology to make the party the most attractive to persuadable groups of voters. Emphasize the appeal of leaders. Often referred to as brokerage parties.

Ideological Party

Pursue ideological views outside of the mainstream and are more concerned with the promotion of these views than electability. Ex. Marxist-Leninists, Christian Heritage Party. Originally the NDP was seen as this, but have become more pragmatic since by the moderation of its platform.

Single-Issue Party

Promote a singular point of view, not an ideology. Ex. the Marijuana Party.

Protest Party

Emerge among people who believe that the dominant forces in political life systematically ignore them, and want to use their vote as a form of protest. Ex. BQ.

Canada’s System of Responsible Government

Places a premium on being on the government side of the House of Commons, rather than the opposition, and encourages brokerism. Legislation is dominated by those in power, and large parties with mass appeal have the best shot at this.

Parliamentary Wing

Consists of parliamentary leader and caucus. Wields power that far exceeds its size. Often responsible for policy formulation and position-taking, despite the existence of policy conventions for this very purpose.

Extra-Parliamentary Wing

Party president, national executive, constituency associations. Often shut out from the process of policy-making.

Contribution Limits

Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can donate to a party, candidate, or nomination candidate. In any one year, a person can give up to $1600 to each registered party, another $1600 to constiutency associations, nomination contests and candidates of a registered party, and a final $1600 to contestants in a party leadership contest.

Spending Limits

Persons standing for nominations as candidates of a party are limited to 20% of the spending limit in an election campaign. Expense limits tied to number of electors per riding — larger # = higher limit.