Paradox of Parliament

Jonathan Malloy is a professor of political science and the Honourable Dick and Ruth Bell Chair in Canadian Parliamentary Democracy at Carleton University.

• 1. IntroductionExplanations for Parliament’s Problems Paradox and the Competing LogicsConclusion2. Historical Foundations and the Competing LogicsIndigenous Peoples and Legislative RepresentationThe Early Development of Canadian LegislaturesThe Logic of GovernanceThe Logic of RepresentationAttempting to Reconcile the Logics: "Every Reform Creates A New Problem"Reforms of the 1960s–1980sThe 1990s: The Reform Party and Paul Martin’s "Democratic Deficit"The 2004–2011 Minority Era and BeyondConsensus LegislaturesCanada in Comparative PerspectiveConclusion3. Parties Canadian Political Parties: An Overview The Weakness of Canadian PartiesParty Discipline: Is Canada Exceptional?Party Discipline in Practice"Excessive" DisciplineParty Discipline and the Party SystemParties in Minority GovernmentsElectoral Systems and PartiesConclusion4. MPsWhy Do MPs Run?Who Gets Elected as an MP?Gender and RaceSocioeconomic and Occupational BackgroundsAgeLearning to Be an MPMPs in the HouseMPs in the ConstituencyLife as an MP: The Personal DimensionManaging Their Public RolesManaging Their Personal LivesMP PayStaffing An MP’s DayDeparture, Turnover, and "Amateurism"Conclusion5. House of Commons BusinessThe RolesThe SpeakerThe Clerk and Procedural StaffHouse Leaders and WhipsThe SettingThe Chamber and DecorumThe Parliamentary DayThe House of Commons at Work: Four AspectsGovernment Bills and DebateQuestion PeriodPrivate Members BusinessOpposition Days and Confidence/Non-confidence MotionsProcess in Minority ParliamentsCommitteesConclusion6. DiversityPersons with DisabilitiesLGBT PersonsWomen in ParliamentWomen in the SenateWomen in the HouseFigure 9.1 Women in the House of Commons since 1968 (%)Women as LegislatorsRaceSymbolicDescriptiveTable 9.1 Racialized MPs in the House of Commons Compared to General PopulationSubstantiveConclusion7. The SenateBicameralismA Brief Description of the SenateHistory of the SenateSenate ReformThe Senate since 20168. ScrutinyScrutiny in Theory and PracticeParliament and MoneyOfficers of ParliamentParliamentary Scrutiny: How Far Can It Go?Parliament’s Access to Documents and PeopleConclusion9. The Future of ParliamentTechnologicalSociologicalCitizen AttitudesConclusion