The Executive Branch
Inclusiveness
Responsiveness
Pariticpation
Reforms
Centralization theory - Canada can be described as a friendly dictatorship
Westminster system is characterized by the extensive concentration of immense power, the Canadian executive are still components of an unquestionably democratic system
is this a contradictory statement?
one of the most exclusive bodies in Canada
highly secretive
the social composition of Canadian legislatures lags behind societal change - because we get the executive from the legislature
represetational imperative - slowly being rectified i.e It's 2015, but is it "window dressing?"
Cabinet needs political intelligence & analysis
the more extensive and institutionalized the involvement in Cabinet processes of individual gov't backbenchers & of the government caucus collectively, the broader the range of experience and advice, therefore more responsive & reflective
Subsidiary political staff increase (or decease) responsiveness due to their direct impact on resources at a member's disposal
Formal bureaurcratic process - fosters democracy through enhanced responsive capacity
weaknesss: unreliability regarding the range of info, opinion and advice to which minsiters are exposed
Who takes part?
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Public participation is virtually 0
measured by participation of reps of public (interest groups) --> not typically part of cabinet deliberations
marginal broadening of participation by public
Backbencher involvement
The 1st Minister is an Autocrat?
Participation in meetings of Cabinet/cabinet meetings - vetting or approving cabinet decisions by the governent caucus
Variation in the formality of this role though no Caucus has veto power
Caucus procedure is variable from term to term due to the influence of the 1st Minister
Centralization theory - cabnet is a focus group for the PM
White's argument
No, due to constitutionall limits on their power, overload of problems and political considerations
Chrétien: centralization is the result of a misunderstanding f the need for extensive coordination in the political machine
Fixed Elections
Party leadership selection process changed
a majority/substantial minority vote of caucus should trigger a formal leadership review within the party
involving backbenchers in Cabinet decision-making
strengthening parliamentary institutions
entails changes to the formal rules and procedures, as well as attitudinal shifts on the part of the members
more minority governments?