Table of contents

1 Political Parties and their Place in Canadian Democratic Life

2 The Parties’ Members

3 The Parties’ Local Associations

4 The Parties’ Candidates

5 The Parties’ Donors

6 The Party in Central Office

7 The Party in Public Office

8 Political Parties and the Challenges of Complexity, Representation, and Personalization

Afterword; Appendix; Notes; References; Index

Description

Political parties are central to democratic politics, but where does the power lie within them, and how is it exercised? The Political Party in Canada explores the inner workings of these complex organizations through an examination of the composition and roles of key party actors, as well as the interactions between them. The authors reveal the activities and power-sharing relationships that characterize Canadian parties. It focuses not only on which groups are included in decision-making but on what authority rests with each level of the parties’ respective structures. This comprehensive examination provides important insights into a fundamental institution that makes modern democracy possible.