Notes 1 Flashcards
What type of party system was prevalent in the nineteenth century?
Legislative electoral party system (elitist)
Included parliamentarian groups, local electoral committees, and factions
What system evolved from the legislative electoral party system?
The Mass Party system
This system appealed to the masses due to the extension of suffrage and increased literacy rates
What are the key features of the Mass Party system?
- Extension of suffrage
- Increased literacy rates
- Expressive/participatory system
- Focus on socioeconomic problems and cultural cleavages
What are the differences between proportional representation and majoritarian representation?
- Proportional representation reflects normative considerations and is seen as morally just
- Majoritarian systems are defined by governing capacity
What is a key concern of party systems defined by majoritarian voting?
Stability
Majoritarian systems prioritize stability over representational justice
How do political parties respond to electoral systems?
Their behavior is influenced by the nature of the electoral systems they are subject to
What conditions provide for the rise of a Cartel Party?
- Well-defined social groups
- Vehicles for electoral competition and success
What led to the emergence of Catch-All Parties?
- Weakening of class consciousness
- Development of a robust welfare state
- Growth of mass media
What is the primary focus of brokerage parties?
To reconcile fundamental divisions in society
They seek to integrate social divisions and avoid electoral conflicts
What are Niche Parties?
- Small parties addressing unaddressed issues
- Usually single-issue parties
- Often lack broad appeal
What is a defining characteristic of Brokerage Parties?
They do not have a natural constituency and continually recreate their electorate; they are not ideologically ‘tethered’; seek to build broad-based coalitions amongst the electorate
What is the significance of Quebec in the Canadian party system?
Quebec acts as a pivot for federal elections due to its historical representation and regional identity
What was the outcome of the repatriation of the constitution in Canada?
It led to dissatisfaction in Quebec and contributed to the decline of the Brokerage party system
How do Franchise Parties operate within the Brokerage Party framework?
They franchise their brand to local actors, allowing local committees autonomy in candidate recruitment
What was the first party system in Canada characterized by?
Informal associations of like-minded politicians with disorganized behavior resembling parties
What two coalitions were notable in early Canadian politics?
- Liberal-Conservative coalition
- Clear Grits and Rouges
What was the predominant political concern in early Canadian party development?
The necessity of Canada’s economic development
This concern unified disparate origins within the political landscape
What is the primary agricultural focus in Canada?
Cultivating an agrarian base to provide food for the East
What significant infrastructure project is mentioned as a culmination in Canadian history?
The culmination of the transcontinental railway
What political structure leads to a split between federal and provincial parties in Canada?
Federal parliamentarianism
What internal issue do coalition parties often face?
Internal opposition
What becomes the predominant political concern in Canada regarding development?
The necessity of Canada’s development
What kind of unity does the concern for economic development provide?
Unity among those of disparate origins
How does Sigfried categorize the forces in Canadian government?
Two distinct forces
