Legitimacy in question
Subtitle: elite-mass relations, constitutional reform and Canadian democracy
By: by Craig W. Worden.
Publisher: Brock University, Dept. of Politics
Published: 1998
Place of publication: St. Catharines, Ont
Language: eng
Number of pages: 190
Subjects: Politicians -- Canada -- Public opinion.; Democracy -- Canada.; Canada -- Politics and government -- Public opinion.
Description: During the 1980s and 1990s, Canadian political authority orientations underwent a
significant transformation. Canadians are no longer deferential towards their political elites.
Instead, they are autonomous, challenging, and increasingly participatory, and this continuing trend has brought the procedural legitimacy of the Canadian political process into question. The following study of elite-mass relations within Canadian democracy attempts to provide insight into the meaning of this change and how it should be addressed. An attitudinal-behavioural analysis of the electorate presents evidence that popular cynicism and alienation
is rooted more deeply in a dissatisfaction with political institutions and traditions than with
politicians. A structural analysis of the elected political elite reveals the failure of consociational traditions to provide effective representation as well as the minimal impact
which the aforementioned orientation shift has had upon this elite. An event-decisional
analysis, or case study, of elite-mass relations in the arena of constitutional politics augments
these complementary profiles and illustrates how the transformed electorate has significantly
restricted the elected political elite's role in constitutional reform. The study concludes that
the lack of responsiveness, representativeness, and inclusiveness of Canada's elected political
elite, political institutions, and political traditions has substantially eroded the procedural
legitimacy of Canadian democracy during the 1980s and 1990s. Remedying these three
deficiencies in the political system, which are the objects of increasing public demand, may
restore legitimacy, but the likelihood that such reforms will be adopted is presently uncertain
in the face of formidable difficulties and obstacles.
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