Title: The unbroken machine :
Authors: Smith, Dale,
Date: 2017
Publisher: Dundurn,
Physical description: 151 pages ; 23 cm
Language: English
LC classification: J
Abstract: "Everybody thinks that it’s the system that’s broken in politics; but what if it’s not the system that’s broken but rather our understanding of it? What if everyone’s proposals to make the system “more democratic” only wind up making things worse, and weaken our systems of accountability so much as to make them meaningless? What if it’s our own ignorance that is killing democracy in this country? Dale Smith looks at the critical gaps in civic literacy that have become endemic within Canadian political culture, wading through buzzwords and meaningless proposals to suggest real solutions. Designed for the lay reader, The Unbroken Machine seeks to explore our lack of civic literacy and show how our system of democracy should work ? if only we were to engage with it the way it was meant to be." -- From back cover.
Contents: The age of civic illiteracy -- A refresher on responsible government -- Elections as democracy and accountability -- The House of Commons -- The Senate you don't know -- The Maple Crown -- Changing the poisoned chalice.
Subject headings (LCSH): Canada--Politics and government.; Civics, Canadian; Democracy--Canada; Political participation--Canada