Against reform / John Pepall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pepall, John, 1949-

Series:

University of Toronto Centre for Public Management monograph series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Canada--Politics and government--1980-.

Canada.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

x, 164 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Toronto : University of Toronto Press, [2010]

Summary:

In Against Reform, John Pepall offers a stringent critique of proposed reforms to Canada's political institutions. Examining electoral reform, an elected or provincially appointed Senate and reduced terms for Senators, fixed election dates, recall, initiative, and parliamentary reform, including 'free votes' and parliamentary confirmation of appointments, Pepall contends that these reforms are ill-conceived and would be harmful. At the root of Pepall's critique is an argument that, in Canada today, too many voters are quick to blame institutions rather than their own conflicting interests and understandings when they do not receive what they want out of government. While considering influential factors such as academic and media bias, political fashion, and the American example, Pepall's unique and highly readable assessment takes aim at the practical and theoretical understandings of reform across party lines.

Contents:

1. Introduction

2. If it ain't broke, fix it: fixed election dates

3. Out of proportion: proportional representation

4. Fun with figures: the paradox of voting

5. The people speak? British Columbia's citizens' assembly

6. How to vote: some simple ways

7. Ontario's quiet referendum: electoral reform in Ontario

8. Parliamentary reform

9. Cross-purposes: parliamentary confirmation of appointments

10. Perpetual elections: recall

11. Do it yourself: initiative

12. The Senate

13. Lit it be.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780772786241

0772786240

9780772786234

0772786232

OCLC:

651902057