Authors & Ideas Flashcards
What does Richard Carty focus on?
Brokerage Politics & the Brokerage System
- The idea emphasizes coalition-building across regional and cultural lines.
- Carty argues that brokerage parties lack ideological consistency and rely on long-term leadership to mediate differences.
- Believes brokerage declines when nation-building ceases or when regional cleavages dominate
What are the eight functions of political parties according to Giovanni Sartori?
- Participation
- Expression
- Aggregation
- Articulation
- Recruitment
- Socialization
- Communication
- Resolution
Participation and Expression are necessary for political parties
Sartori distinguishes between expressive (ideological, identity-driven) and instrumental (office-seeking, pragmatic) party functions.
What is the definition of a Brokerage Party?
A political party that seeks to integrate and reconcile various regional, linguistic, and cultural divisions across Canada.
Key features include flexible ideology, nation-building focus, long-term stable leadership, and top-down mediation.
What is Duverger’s Law?
Plurality electoral systems (like FPTP) tend to produce two-party systems.
This law explains the structural barriers to third party success in Canadian federal politics.
What does Duverger argue?
- That political parties have two primary purposes: to win elections and to organise gov’t.
- As parliamentary groups, parties pass laws and are linked to EDAs, which select groups.
What is a Cartel Party according to Katz & Mair?
A party that uses state resources to maintain dominance and exclude competition.
Key features include state funding, inter-party collusion, and reduced member influence.
What does ‘Western Alienation’ refer to?
Sentiment that the Western provinces are underrepresented or ignored by federal politics.
Associated parties include the Reform Party and Conservative Party.
Fill in the blank: A _______ Party tries to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters by minimizing ideological commitments.
Catch-All
What is the significance of the Meech Lake Accord?
Failed 1987 constitutional accord aimed at recognizing Quebec as a distinct society.
This event triggered the emergence of the Bloc Quebecois.
What are the components of an Extra-Parliamentary Party?
- Electoral District Associations (EDAs)
- Central office
These components are all parts of a political party outside of the elected legislature.
What does the term ‘Stratarchy’ refer to?
A decentralized party structure that shares authority between national and local levels.
It reflects Canada’s federalism.
What is the definition of Responsible Government?
Executive (cabinet) must maintain confidence of elected legislature.
It implies a central role of party discipline.
True or False: The Fourth Party System emerges post-1993 with regional fragmentation and ideological polarization.
True
What is the definition of Populism?
Political approach that claims to represent ‘the people’ vs. ‘the elite’.
It can lean left (CCF/NDP) or right (Reform).
What are the key functions of parties according to Sartori?
- Participation
- Expression
- Aggregation
- Recruitment
- Articulation
- Communication
- Socialization
- Resolution
Most important functions are participation and expression.
What is the significance of the 1993 Federal Election?
Collapse of PC, rise of Bloc and Reform, NDP loses official party status.
This event marked the end of the Third Party System.
What is a Candidate Selection process?
- Plebiscite
- Parachuting candidates
- Formal/informal recruitment
Gatekeepers include EDAs and party leadership.
What does ‘Ideological Polarization’ mean?
Increase in rigid ideological identities across parties.
This effect weakens brokerage potential.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Act recognizes parties with 12+ MPs and grants access to resources.
Parliament of Canada
What is the definition of a Party in Public Office?
Elected officials (MPs, PM, cabinet) and their legislative roles.
Key norms include responsible government and collective accountability.
What is the focus of the Reform Party?
Western populism and response to conservative fragmentation.
Their platform includes fiscal conservatism and democratic reform.
What is the definition of a Catch-All Party?
A party that tries to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters by minimizing ideological commitments.
Example: Conservative Party.
Why did Catch-all parties arise?
- Weakening of class consciousness
- Fulfilment of political drive for establishment of a welfare state
- Development of mass media
What does the term ‘Personalization of Politics’ refer to?
Shift from parties to leaders as focal point of politics.
Causes include mass media and leadership selection reforms.
