Democratic Models and Practice: Application to Atlantic Canada Dr. D Brown Pols 322 Fall term 2010

Outline ► Defining and divining democracy (D Held) ► The inherited democratic institutions –their strengths and weaknesses (A Lijphart) ► The broader principles and practices of democracy in Canada (Supreme Court) ► Critiques of democracy, and criteria for evaluation

David Held’s Models of Democracy ► “Rule by the people” and what it can imply ► What are the associated values of democracy? ► Two key branches:  Direct and participatory  Liberal and representative ► All democratic practices emerge from specific historical circumstances, social context and conflicts.

The Nine elements of Westminster model (Lijphart) 1. Concentration of executive power 2. Fusion of legislative and executive power 3. Asymmetric bicameralism 4. Two-party system 5. One-dimensional party system 6. Plurality electoral system 7. Unitary and centralized system 8. Unwritten constitution/ parliamentary sovereignty 9. Exclusive representative democracy

The “Westminster” model in Canada ► This is the major source of design and practice for the federal and provincial orders of government in Canada ► Canadian practice differs, with the two biggest departures being:  Shared and divided power through federalism  Parliamentary power limited by Charter of Rights and other constitutional rights

Political Economy approach (C.B. MacPherson) ► Theory of possessive individualism ► Dominance of “liberal” aspects of democracy and its role in maintaining capitalist power relationships ► Works with legal system to ensure sanctity of property rights and ability to control labour ► Market power is both parallel to and embedded in, the democratic system

Supreme Court of Canada –Secession reference case, 1998 ► Democracy coexists with three other key constitutional principles in Canada:  Federalism  Constitutionalism and the rule of law  Protection of minorities ► There are clear limitations to majority rule in the Canadian context

Supreme Court judgement in Reference re Secession of Quebec ► Constitution generally assumes elected, representative government ► Recognizes citizen’s rights as voters and as candidates ► Sovereignty of the Crown and of the people is essentially shared: federal, provincial ► Democracy must be embedded in the rule of law ► Majority rules -- but within limits, and with respect for dissent.

Democracy in Atlantic Canada ► The four provincial systems, including local government ► The national democratic system (federal government) ► Minorities with rights….Acadiens, Aboriginal Peoples ► …and a Canada-wide civil society including media, interest groups, parties, and social movements.

Three criteria for evaluating our democracy 1. Inclusiveness -- who rules? Who is represented? By whom? 2. Participation -- consultation, deliberation, decision: citizen involvement -- consultation, deliberation, decision: citizen involvement 1. Responsiveness -- does government meet our needs? Exercise our will?....capacity. Effectiveness. efficiency -- does government meet our needs? Exercise our will?....capacity. Effectiveness. efficiency