What political type are you?
We tend to like things simple. Right or Wrong. Black or white. Mother Nature tends... The post What political type are you? first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
proportional representation
European Multi Party PR & American Two Party FPTP Electoral Systems: Built on Coalitions
The European electoral system is based on Proportional Representation (PR) with multiple parties while the American electoral system is based on the First Past The Post (also known as Single…
Three Ways to Improve American Politics
I am writing this as a citizen of a world (and also as someone with a degree in Political Science) that no matter where we live are strongly impacted by…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Jonathan Last writes about the perfect storm in which economic, financial and constitutional crises - all originating from the deliberate choices of the…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Robert Reich argues that the overriding theme of the new Trump regime is ineptitude, with Paul Krugman's observation that he's staking the U.S. economy…
What’s With Jagmeet Singh
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh is receiving a great deal of criticism for saying the NDP will vote non-confidence in the Liberal government in the New Year and that…
What’s With Jagmeet Singh
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh is receiving a great deal of criticism for saying the NDP will vote non-confidence in the Liberal government in the New Year and that…
Why I Dislike Ranked Ballot Voting & Why I Support It
After four years studying Political Science at Laurentian University and over thirty years working for the House of Commons I tended to approach electoral reform more as a political scientist…
Electoral reform—to be or not to be?
Once again our hopes rise. Or do they? At their recent national policy convention the Liberals voted to back a citizens’ assembly on electoral reform. Specifically, the convention resolved that…
National Post Letter
Electoral reform opponents are once again pulling out the old Israel canard. I’ve responded with a letter attempting to set the record straight in today’s National Post: Electoral reform Re:…
electoral reform is way overdue (but ranked ballots won’t help)
Canada’s 2021 federal election made the case for proportional representation very plain. While Canada’s electoral system isn’t as insanely nondemocratic as the US’s winner-take-all (or “first-past-the-post”) by state, with the…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Katherine Wu writes about the much-needed update to COVID-19 vaccines coming this fall – and the challenge getting people to receive them…
Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Geoff Thompson reports on new research showing that the cognitive decline caused by COVID-19 is worse than previously known, while the European…
Can Proportional Representation Save Our Parliamentary Democracy
Parliament – Etymology The English term is derived from Anglo-Norman and dates to the 14th century, coming from the 11th century Old French parlement, “discussion, discourse”, from parler, meaning “to…
Thursday Evening Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Zak Vescera reports on leaked information showing that Saskatchewan’s COVID hospitalization rate has reached a record high just as Scott Moe decided…
Post Election Calls For Electoral Reform
In the wake of voting for our 44th Parliament, there are numerous calls out there to move Canada to some form of Proportional Representation (PR). I am sympathetic to these…
Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Katherine Wu, Ed Yong and Sarah Zhang set out six rules which will shape how we handle the next wave of COVID –…
#Elxn44 Roundup
News and notes from the aftermath of Canada’s federal election. – Christo Aivalis is the latest to point out that nobody emerged from the election as a winner. And John…
#Elxn44 Roundup
The latest from Canada’s federal election campaign. – The Climate Emergency Alliance highlights the crucial climate change question which was left out of the federal debates – which is what…
The centennial of broken Liberal promises on PR
A recent newsletter from Fair Vote Canada reminded us that the Liberals have been promising proportional representation (PR) for 100 years. And not delivering. In 2021 we celebrate, if that’s…