Johnston Flashcards
What is a “regional pivot” in Canadian politics, according to Johnston?
A regional pivot is a province or region that plays a decisive role in shaping national electoral outcomes, often determining which party forms government.
Which provinces have historically functioned as Canada’s key regional pivots?
Quebec and Ontario have historically served as Canada’s most influential regional pivots.
How do regional pivots affect brokerage politics?
They force national parties to tailor their platforms and messaging to appeal to pivotal regions, reinforcing the brokerage model.
What role did Quebec play in sustaining brokerage politics?
Quebec served as a crucial balancing force, often determining electoral majorities and compelling federal parties to accommodate its distinct interests.
How did the rise of the Bloc Québécois affect Quebec’s role as a regional pivot?
It weakened brokerage politics by removing Quebec from national coalition-building and aligning it with a regionally focused, ideological party.
What was the impact of Western alienation on national brokerage parties?
It contributed to the rise of populist, region-specific parties like Reform, undermining national brokerage coalitions.
How has the volatility of Ontario’s electorate influenced party strategy?
Ontario’s growing electoral unpredictability has made it a high-stakes pivot, requiring parties to carefully manage centrist messaging and broad appeal.
How does Johnston critique the brokerage model in light of regional pivots?
He argues that brokerage is less about national consensus and more about appealing to pivotal regions that can deliver majorities.
Why does Johnston say that brokerage parties face greater difficulty today, and what is his overall assessment of modern brokerage politics?
Parties face increasing regional fragmentation, issue-based voting, and ideological polarization make it harder to build the broad coalitions required for brokerage politics - thus, brokerage politics still exists but is increasingly challenged by the shifting importance of regional pivots and the decline of traditional national cohesion.
