Canadian democracy from the ground up : perceptions and performance / edited by Elisabeth Gidengil and Heather Bastedo.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Gidengil, Elisabeth, 1947- editor.

Bastedo, Heather, 1963- editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political participation--Canada--Public opinion.

Political participation.

Democracy--Canada--Public opinion.

Democracy.

Public opinion--Canada.

Public opinion.

Canada--Politics and government--2006--Public opinion.

Canada.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (321 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Vancouver, British Colombia : UBC Press, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Canada is often held up as an example of a healthy democracy. However, the Canadian public is less enthusiastic about the way our democracy works. Rather than focusing on institutional performance, this book approaches the "democratic deficit" from the perspective of the Canadian public and assesses the performance of political leaders and the media in light of Canadians' perceptions and expectations. In doing so, a number of chapters highlight the disjuncture between perceptions and performance. For example, governments do keep many of their election promises, and media coverage is not as negative as we are apt to believe. Similarly, the book provides new insights into political apathy by drawing on focus group discussions that represent the first attempt to ask politically marginalized Canadians why they have turned their backs on politics. By introducing the voice of everyday Canadians, this book adds a new perspective to political discussions in this country. Canadian Democracy from the Ground Up is essential for anyone who would like to learn how to build a better democracy - one that meets the expectations of the Canadian public.

Contents:

Introduction / Elisabeth Gidengil and Heather Bastedo

Attitudes toward Democratic Norms and Practices: Canada in Comparative Perspective / Lawrence Leduc and Jon H. Pammett

Canadians' Evaluations of MPs: Performance Matters / Nick Ruderman

Repertoire-Building or Elite-Challenging? Understanding Political Engagement in Canada / / Michael A. Pinter-Main

Outsiders: Agency and the Non-Engaged / Heather Bastedo, Wayne Chu, and Jane Hilerman

Social Media and Political Inequality / Quinn Albaugh and Christopher Waddell

The Story behind the Story : Evaluating the Content of Political News / Heather Bastedo, Quinn Albaugh, and Alex Marland

Social Media and Agenda Setting / Wayne Chu and Fred Fletcher

Representing Canadians : Is the 41st Parliament Still a Vertical Mosaic? / Livianna Tossutti and Jane Hilderman

MPs on the Home Front : How Constituency Characteristics Influence Representational Approaches / Monroe Eagles, Royce Koop, and Alison Loat

Democratic Responsiveness in the House of Commons / Kelly Blidoook

A Tale of Two Perspectives : Election Promises and Government Actions in Canada / François Pétry

Conclusion : Taking Stock of Canadian Democracy from the Ground Up / Elisabeth Gidengil and Heather Bastedo

Appendix : Samara 2012 Citizens' Survey Methodology.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed July 9, 2014).

ISBN:

0-7748-2828-5

0-7748-2827-7

OCLC:

890934568