Parties registered with Elections Canada (contest Canadian federal elections)with Elections Canada Political parties registered with Elections Ontario (contest Ontario provincial elections)with Elections Ontario

Defining political parties “Organizations that seeks to gain and maintain political power”, MacLean and Wood, p. 171 Canada Elections Act: “ ‘political party’ means an organization one of whose fundamental purposes is to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and supporting their election.” Canada Elections Act Moral persons survive their founders exist separately from members

Origins: from factions in a legislature… Greece & Rome (500BC–1AD) Europe & North America (1300s–1800s) Elected as individuals Ideological similarities Ideological factions Agora of Athens Roman Forum British House of Commons 1793

… to actual political parties Formalization of ties between parliamentarians Pooling of resources Party structure (organization) Presence outside the legislature

Functions Before anything else recruit members nominate candidates Aggregating interests select issues draft election platform Representing interests run for office implement platform if elected

Straddling two realms Both in the state and in civil society – aspiring (ex.: Green Party of Canada) – actual (ex.: Conservative Party of Canada) Sometimes in parliament but not seeking control of it – no intention to control the executive or the legislature – preferably called “parliamentary groups” or “parliamentary blocs” (ex.: Bloc Québécois)

Party types Cadre parties early Western democracies limited membership prominent individuals loose, horizontal organization based on personal contacts Mass parties appear with universal suffrage mass membership seek access to power grass roots participation hierarchical organization rely on volunteers mobilization of voters

Party types (cont’d) Umbrella parties a.k.a. catch-all parties wide appeal for maximum aggregation (“median voter”) associated with SMP electoral system ex.: Liberals & Conservatives in Canada; Republicans & Democrats in US Cleavage-based parties more specific appeal identifiable ideology or concern or regional base associated with PR electoral systems Ex.: Green Party* in Canada, British National Party

Party systems Predominant or single-party system: one party (former Soviet Union, China, Mexico 1920s-1990s) Competitive party systems two-party system / bipartism (US) two-plus party system (Canada & provinces; UK) multiparty system / multipartism (most democracies)

Parties in the legislature Party discipline (or not) The role of the Whip answers to party leader guarantee unity maximize passage (or defeat) of bills takes attendance subtle pressures on elected members Dispense/withdraw privileges from elected members

Party leaders: powerful actors Chosen by members Approves candidates for elections Appoint Cabinet members (if in government) Or shadow cabinet (opposition critics) Appoint parliamentary committee members Give direction to party & takes responsibility

Conclusion Groupings of individuals seeking to get elected... or to elect candidates Method of aggregating different interests Presentation of a policy package for voters to choose Number & types of parties vary based on electoral systems & social cleavages