In this blog we will discuss the questions asked above. The site will act as a hub for links to political websites, interest groups and scholarly articles of concern to democracy in Canada. The blog will also act as a networking point for those who are interested in the state of democracy in Canada. I would like to do some research about different methods of democratic organization concerning electoral politics, partisan politics and participatory democracy.
There are so many things that make Canada a democracy. There are also many traditions and institutions that while having a symbiotic relationship with democracy are not necessarily democratic institutions. Courts, governments and elections exist in countries without a functioning democracy.
Yet, Canadians live in a secular, pluralistic and open society. Canadians have rights enshrined in a written constitutional charter and Canadians have rights conferred through constitutional convention. Canadians live in a Federal state with an independent judiciary and independent press. Canadians vote in multiparty elections nationally, provincially, regionally, and locally. Canadians also enjoy voting rights through non-governmental associations. Canadians live in a democracy characterized by formal processes commonly referred to as the division of power or checks and balances. Canadians also live in a democracy characterized by informal processes commonly referred to as civil society.
I am also interested in democracy abroad. I plan on using this blog to advocate for a more democratic world.
Senate reform!
ReplyDeleteAh yes the Senate, a vital piece of Canadian democracy. Thank you James, I almost forgot to mention that in Canada we have bicameral legislative chambers. Federally there are the House of Commons and the Senate.
ReplyDelete