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In Search of Brokerage and Responsibility: Party Politics in Manitoba

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2009

Jared J. Wesley
Jared J. Wesley*
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
*
Jared Wesley, Department of Political Studies, University of Manitoba, 528 Fletcher Argue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3T 5V5, wesley@cc.umanitoba.ca.
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Abstract

Abstract. Many critics describe Canadian political parties as “irresponsible” democratic actors. Viewed largely as “brokerage” organizations, parties are often cited for their failure to provide voters with meaningful alternatives on the ballot. The following analysis challenges these perceptions as they apply to provincial politics—an often-neglected area of party activity in Canada. As a case study of the 2003 Manitoba provincial election, the examination reveals that parties in the province behave more “responsibly” than is commonly assumed by members of the media, academia and the electorate. These findings demand a re-examination of traditional notions of party politics in Canada, with increased attention being devoted to the “supply side” of democracy: the behaviour of the parties themselves.

Résumé. Plusieurs critiques décrivent les partis politiques canadiens comme des acteurs démocratiques «irresponsables». Considérés principalement comme des organisations de «courtage», on leur reproche souvent de ne pas offrir aux électeurs des choix bien différenciés sur le bulletin de vote. L'analyse suivante remet en question cette perception au palier de la politique provinciale – un niveau souvent négligé dans l'examenn des partis au Canada. Cette étude des élections provinciales de 2003 au Manitoba révèle que les partis provinciaux se comportent de manière plus «responsable» que ne le laissent entendre les médias, les milieux académiques et l'électorat. Cette conclusion invite à un réexamen des notions traditionnelles sur les partis politiques au Canada jetant une lumière nouvelle sur«l'aspect offre» de la démocratie : le comportement des partis eux-mêmes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue canadienne de science politique , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 211 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Political Science Association 2009

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