The Paradox of Parliament provides a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of Parliament in order to explain the paradoxical expectations placed on the institution. The book argues that Parliament labours under two different "logics" of its purpose and primary role: one based on governance and decision-making and one based on representation and voice. This produces a paradox that is common to many legislatures, but Canada and Canadians particularly struggle to recognize and reconcile the competing logics.
In The Paradox of Parliament, Jonathan Malloy discusses the major aspects of Parliament through the lens of these two competing logics to explain the ongoing dissatisfaction with Parliament and perennial calls for parliamentary reform. It focuses on overarching analytical themes rather than exhaustive description. It centres people over procedure and theory, with strong emphasis given to dimensions of gender, race, and additional forms of diversity. Arguing for a holistic and realistic understanding of Parliament that recognizes and accepts that Parliament evolves and adapts, The Paradox of Parliament puts forward an important and novel interpretation of the many facets of Parliament in Canada.
1. Introduction
Explanations for Parliament’s Problems
Paradox and the Competing Logics
Conclusion
2. Historical Foundations and the Competing Logics
Indigenous Peoples and Legislative Representation
The Early Development of Canadian Legislatures
The Logic of Governance
The Logic of Representation
Attempting to Reconcile the Logics: “Every Reform Creates A New Problem”
Reforms of the 1960s–1980s
The 1990s: The Reform Party and Paul Martin’s “Democratic Deficit”
The 2004–2011 Minority Era and Beyond
Consensus Legislatures
Canada in Comparative Perspective
Conclusion
3. Parties
Canadian Political Parties: An Overview
The Weakness of Canadian Parties
Party Discipline: Is Canada Exceptional?
Party Discipline in Practice
“Excessive” Discipline
Party Discipline and the Party System
Parties in Minority Governments
Electoral Systems and Parties
Conclusion
4. MPs
Why Do MPs Run?
Who Gets Elected as an MP?
Gender and Race
Socioeconomic and Occupational Backgrounds
Age
Learning to Be an MP
MPs in the House
MPs in the Constituency
Life as an MP: The Personal Dimension
Managing Their Public Roles
Managing Their Personal Lives
MP Pay
Staffing
An MP’s Day
Departure, Turnover, and “Amateurism”
Conclusion
5. House of Commons Business
The Roles
The Speaker
The Clerk and Procedural Staff
House Leaders and Whips
The Setting
The Chamber and Decorum
The Parliamentary Day
The House of Commons at Work: Four Aspects
Government Bills and Debate
Question Period
Private Members Business
Opposition Days and Confidence/Non-confidence Motions
Process in Minority Parliaments
Committees
Conclusion
6. Diversity
Persons with Disabilities
LGBT Persons
Women in Parliament
Women in the Senate
Women in the House
Figure 9.1 Women in the House of Commons since 1968 (%)
Women as Legislators
Race
Symbolic
Descriptive
Table 9.1 Racialized MPs in the House of Commons Compared to General Population
Substantive
Conclusion
7. The Senate
Bicameralism
A Brief Description of the Senate
History of the Senate
Senate Reform
The Senate since 2016
8. Scrutiny
Scrutiny in Theory and Practice
Parliament and Money
Officers of Parliament
Parliamentary Scrutiny: How Far Can It Go?
Parliament’s Access to Documents and People
Conclusion
9. The Future of Parliament
Technological
Sociological
Citizen Attitudes
Conclusion
Height:229
Width:152
Spine:14
Weight:410.00