Citizenship and Democracy: A Case for Proportional Representation (Toward the New Millennium Series) Review

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Citizenship and Democracy: A Case for Proportional Representation (Toward the New Millennium Series) ReviewIf I am not mistaken this book is an extension of the Masters' thesis that Loenen did at the University of British Columbia a couple of years ago. The thesis, in turn, was inspired by Loenen's time in the provincial government of British Columbia's Bill Vander Zalm from 1986-1991.
The main argument of Loenen's book is that the first-past-the-post electoral system (also known as the "Single Member Plurality") has instilled in Canada a political system that is almost dictatorial in nature. He sees power as having become concentrated at the executive (or Cabinet) level, with citizens - and even back-bench MP's - having little real say in how government is run. The solution that is offered is a move to a "Single Transferable Vote" (STV). Which in reality is a move to the Proportional Representation, in which it is beleived that each vote will carry more wieght and be more fairly represented than is currently the case.
Events from the early 1990s seem to be employed by Loenen to back-up his contention that the average citizen is not guaranteed a say within the current system. These are the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords - both of which were soundly defeated by public opinion. The point that is drawn is that is that poiticians were completely out of step with their constiuents on these iniatives. The implication being that a different electoral system might have helped prevent these divisive Accords.
Loenen uses British Columbia as a case study for the book to show how STV would have the potential to open he possibilty for new forms of political behaviour. His chapters deal with issues such as the legislature, the relationship between the Cabinet and the legislature, political parties, and all the different types of voting systems.
My own personal opinion of this book is that it is a very well thought out and argued case. Yet, I personally am a little reluctant to be swayed by the case for proportional representation. I beleive it is simply the substitution of one set of problems for another - with there being no guarantee that STV could be any more democratic than FPTP. Both system have their weaknesses and both are prone to manipulation and detachment from the citizenry. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend the book!Citizenship and Democracy: A Case for Proportional Representation (Toward the New Millennium Series) Overview

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