Siegfried Flashcards
What is Siegfried’s central argument in “Party Politics in Canada”?
That regionalism, geography, and cultural divisions—not ideology—are the primary forces shaping Canada’s party system.
How does Siegfried describe the influence of geography on Canadian politics?
Geography creates distinct economic and cultural regions, leading to different political priorities and fragmented national party support.
What role do language and religion play in Canadian party politics, according to Siegfried?
French-English and Catholic-Protestant divisions deeply shape party alignment and voting behavior, especially in Quebec.
How does Siegfried describe Canadian political behavior compared to other democracies?
Canadians tend to be pragmatic rather than ideological, supporting parties based on regional interests and leadership appeal.
What does Siegfried say about party loyalty in Canada?
Party loyalty is generally weaker in Canada, as voters are more influenced by local and regional factors than long-term partisan attachment.
How does Siegfried explain the dominance of brokerage politics?
Brokerage politics emerged to manage Canada’s internal diversity, allowing parties to construct broad coalitions that reflect national unity.
What role does Quebec play in Siegfried’s analysis of party politics?
Quebec is a swing region with distinct cultural and political interests, often behaving independently from broader national trends.
How does Siegfried view the Liberal Party’s success?
The Liberal Party’s dominance is attributed to its ability to act as a flexible broker between regional, linguistic, and economic groups.
Why does Siegfried consider the Conservative Party less successful?
Because it has historically struggled to maintain unity and balance competing regional demands, limiting its ability to broker effectively.
What does Siegfried predict about the future of Canadian party politics?
He suggests that unless parties continue to adapt to Canada’s fragmented political landscape, regionalism could undermine national cohesion.
