POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE John Coakley, School of Politics and International Relations, UCD

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE OUTLINE PRINCIPAL TOPICS The dilemma: culture v. institutions Political representation Process of government

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE THE DILEMMA Institutional reform can transform political realities overnight (e.g. change electoral system) Political cultural values change much more slowly (e.g. public’s and politicians’ expectations regarding political norms) Effectiveness of institutional change will depend on compatibility with political cultural values (legal/constitutional reform will not necessarily translate into substantive change; e.g. ministerial appointments)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE THE DILEMMA A PARADOX OF IRISH POLITICAL CULTURE Rejection of overt British influence (e.g. symbolised in Dáil itself; current Dáil is 28th since foundation of state, not 30th) Acceptance of British models of government (e.g. parliamentary usage, expression “another place”)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION ISSUES IN IRISH POLITICAL DEBATE CONDITIONED BY BRITISH MODEL? Do we need a second chamber? (jury still out?) Is the Dáil too large? (UK ratio would imply Dáil of about 50; but “critical mass” and historical arguments) Should the Dáil electoral system be changed?

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION ELECTORAL SYSTEM ° [President] The voting shall be by secret ballot and on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote ° [Dáil] The members shall be elected on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote [Seanad] Every election of the elected members of Seanad Éireann shall be held on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and by secret postal ballot.

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION ELECTORAL SYSTEM Terminology implies “British” system of PR is seen as the “normal” one Cultural understanding and language use allows non-proportional systems (e.g. alternative vote) to be described as “PR in single-member constituencies” In reality, list system is “normal” Electoral reform will not necessarily change cultural expectations (cf pre-1914 Ireland)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IMPLICATIONS OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Large constituencies (5+?) Fixed constituency boundaries (equity through reapportionment, not redistricting) No by-elections

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOLDERS Role of President Choice of Taoiseach Selection of ministers

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT OF IRELAND Limited explicit powers; great authority There shall be a President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann), hereinafter called the President, who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State and who shall exercise and perform the powers and functions conferred on the President by this Constitution and by law ° The President shall be elected by direct vote of the people. Political cultural expectations imply minimalist role (1982 v. 1994)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT A SPACE FOR THE KING OF IRELAND ° For the purpose of the exercise of any executive function of the State in or in connection with its external relations, the Government may to such extent and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be determined by law, avail of or adopt any organ, instrument, or method of procedure used or adopted for the like purpose by the members of any group or league of nations with which the State is or becomes associated for the purpose of international co-operation in matters of common concern.

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT THE TAOISEACH Constitution unusually explicit: ° The President shall, on the nomination of Dáil Éireann, appoint the Taoiseach, that is, the head of the Government or Prime Minister. Apparent differences from British model, but office based on that of British prime minister

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT MINISTERS Constitution sets boundaries: The Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than fifteen members who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution ° The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the member of the Government who is in charge of the Department of Finance must be members of Dáil Éireann ° The other members of the Government must be members of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann, but not more than two may be members of Seanad Éireann. Boundaries narrowly interpreted (maximise number of TD ministers; minimise Dáil support)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT GOVT RELATIONS WITH PARLIAMENT 1.Government is answerable to parliament, and: (a)Ministers must be MPs (b)Ministers may (but need not) be MPs (c)Ministers may not be MPs 2.Government is not answerable to parliament (and ministers are not MPs) PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT 1(a) PARLIAMENT CONTROLS GOVERNMENT: MINISTERS ARE PARLIAMENTARIANS GOVT. PARLIAMENT Examples: Ireland, United Kingdom

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT 1(b) PARLIAMENT CONTROLS GOVERNMENT: MINISTERS MAY BE PARLIAMENTARIANS GOVT. PARLIAMENT Examples: Germany, Italy

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT 1(c) PARLIAMENT CONTROLS GOVERNMENT: MINISTERS MAY NOT BE PARLIAMENTARIANS GOVT. PARLIAMENT Examples: France, Norway Netherlands

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT 2. PARLIAMENT DOES NOT CONTROL GOVERNMENT: MINISTERS MAY NOT BE PARLIAMENTARIANS GOVT. PARLIAMENT Examples: USA, other western hemisphere

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT RECENT GOVERNMENTS: DÁIL SUPPORT overall majority (83 seats)

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE CONCLUSION Political cultural values predispose us towards particular expectations: 1.We need a second chamber (Seanad) 2.Dáil size should be relatively large 3.We need small Dáil constituencies 4.Constituency boundaries should be revised frequently

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE CONCLUSION Political cultural values predispose us towards particular expectations: 5.Casual Dáil vacancies must be filled by by-election 6.The President should not play a political role 7.Ministers should all be parliamentarians 8.Governments should be “minimum winning coalitions”

POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE THE END …