POLI 221 Chapter Notes - Chapter 09/11: Caucus
16 Dec 2015
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Can"t have rules for everything, but absence of rules invites abuse, having rules does not. Firm, clear rules re: powers of the pm are needed in order to restore legitimacy to can. Although there are reform movements, and the parties have spoken of them, no party has officially endorsed one plan for reform, giving the movement a sense of general frustration. Other countries have reformed their poli systems to increase checks and preserve democracy. System is only democratic when mps (the people"s direct representatives) have power--a power-hungry pm is not democratic. Efforts to reform democracy often concentrate on decreasing partisanship--this is wrongheaded bc partisanship is essential to parliament and is a method of public accountability. Reform efforts should concentrate on reducing excessive party discipline instead. Pretty much everyone is against partisanship, in theory, although politicians often change. Political malaise manifests as political disinterest/ignorance, decreased influence of. Downsides to partisanship: 1. it can lead to excessive behavior/rhetoric 2. encourages.
