In a world where federal states seem to exist precariously, politicians and academics from around the globe continue to look to Canada as a model of federalism. And yet, our own system of organization and governance also appears strained ...

Provides a democratic audit of Canada’s provincial and national representative assemblies, arguing that the problem existing in these bodies is not a lack of talent so much as a lack of institutional freedom.

This volume, by eminent political scientist John Courtney, assesses the history and development of five “building blocks” of Canada’s electoral regime: the franchise, electoral districts, voter registration, election machinery, and plurality voting.

Compares the 34th (1988-93) and the 35th (1993-97) Parliaments, where, despite major electoral shifts, the majority of the men and women who go to Ottawa end up accepting limited policy roles, effecting only minor shifts in government.