Professor Jonathan Malloy, the holder of the Bell Chair in Democracy at Carleton University, has released the first general academic study of Canada’s Parliament. The Paradox of Parliament provides a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of Parliament to explain the paradoxical expectations placed on the institution.
— Read on utorontopress.com/9781487551001/the-paradox-of-parliament/
Dean Malloy on his Twitter account gives a quick overview of what to expect. At a glance, it looks to define the role of the Opposition in providing accountability in the executive decision-making process. The expectations of the Opposition as to representation may be harder to bring into focus. For the government party, tokenism and patronage are essential coalition tools. The Opposition in contrast may offer little to a MP’s pursuing goods and services for a distinct constituency. Skill in policy debate and innovation mark the value added of an Opposition MP. The sub-rosa social quota expectations are less compelling. Whether or not that situation is a current positive and a future negative, or vice versa is worth discussing.
Jonathan appears open to discuss the issues confronting the second-oldest parliament.
To prepare, I will read his book in the lifetime of the current Parliament, destined to be among the most contentious — and paradoxical.
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