Elections, Parties, and the Party System Malcomlson

1
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• What should a Parliament look like?
• MPs tend to be male, white, old, well-off
• Should Parliament mirror society?
• Microcosm theory of representation Parliament is
  representative only if it is a microcosm of
  society
• Rep by pop Cabinet representation by province
  reflect this demand / theory
• What of women, minority representation?

2
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Problems with Microcosm Theory of Representation
• Who decides which groups represented?
• Does this not imply a hierarchies of groups?
• Liberalism does not recognize groups rights as
  such
• Do interests coincide with descriptive
  characteristics?
• How to ensure representation?
• Reliance on parties semi-private groups to
  provide representative candidates
• Parties may face supply problems

3
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Problems with Microcosm Theory of Representation
• Who decides which groups represented?
• Does this not imply a hierarchies of groups?
• Liberalism does not recognize groups rights as
  such
• Do interests coincide with descriptive
  characteristics?
• How to ensure representation?
• Reliance on parties semi-private groups to
  provide representative candidates
• Parties may face supply problems

4
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Problems with Microcosm Theory of Representation
• Who decides which groups represented?
• Does this not imply a hierarchies of groups?
• Liberalism does not recognize groups rights as
  such
• Do interests coincide with descriptive
  characteristics?
• How to ensure representation?
• Reliance on parties semi-private groups to
  provide representative candidates
• Parties may face supply problems

5
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Interests Descriptive Characteristics
• Is it credible to believe that members of
  minorities that obtain office will reflect
  interests of their minority groups?
• 1993 Canadian Candidate Study Among 143 (22.8)
  female candidates
• Undergraduate degree 35
• Postgraduate degree 31
• In Canada of degree holders (1991 Census)
  10.7
• The pervasive impact of class on political
  recruitment

6
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Problems with Microcosm Theory of Representation
• Who decides which groups represented?
• Does this not imply a hierarchies of groups?
• Liberalism does not recognize groups rights as
  such
• Do interests coincide with descriptive
  characteristics?
• How to ensure representation?
• Reliance on parties semi-private groups to
  provide representative candidates
• Parties may face supply problems

7
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Functions of Political Parties
• Recruit candidates (elites)
• Educate socialize (elites voters)
• Run campaigns
• Aggregate interests
• Formulate policy alternatives

8
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Status of Political Parties
• Parties link state and civil society
• Not in the CA 1867 or CA 1982
• No convention demanding parties
• Recognized in statute law (Canada Elections Act)
• Parties are semi-autonomous from the state, and
  so state cannot entirely dictate parties
  internal affairs

9
Elections, Parties, and the Party
SystemMalcomlson Myers, Chapter 9 10

• Candidate Supply Problems
• Parties may face supply problems in attracting
  minority candidates
• Conservatives cannot attract many women
  candidates
• NDP has a difficult time getting their women
  candidates into House