EN FR

Solving the democratic deficit

Author: John Carpay 2001/07/18
Canada and Alberta are languishing from a democratic deficit. On election day, politicians are servants of the people, and the taxpaying public is in charge. But the other 99.9% of the time, MPs and MLAs have an absolute monopoly on power.

If MPs and MLAs do not respond to voter concerns about a particular issue, voters have to wait up to five years for the next election before anything can be done to address that problem. And when that election finally comes, many different issues will be vying for attention. So any particular issue (such as MP pensions, or real reform to the health care system) can be easily forgotten or ignored - especially by well-entrenched incumbents. MPs and MLAs are able to build and maintain a high profile in their ridings. Most of them do not face serious challenges to their re-election.

During elections, debate on issues is often dominated by media elites and special interest groups; most voters just watch and listen. The people themselves have limited power to determine which issues are appropriate for discussion in the public arena.

This is a spectator democracy, rather than a participant democracy. In a spectator democracy, taxpayers can observe what happens, but 99.9% of the time they have no direct say. Citizens can ask their politicians to do something, but politicians have the power to ignore voters for up to five years at a time.

In today's spectator democracy, politics are mostly about personalities, not issues. This is partly because voters have no real or direct say on issues. Voters are limited to placing an "x" beside one candidate, unable to indicate what portion of the party platform they agree with, or disagree with. Voting choice is limited to a "blank cheque" endorsement of a party, without any means of expressing an opinion on important issues.

In a spectator democracy, the government alone has the right to initiate a referendum on an important issue; citizens do not. Issues which are difficult or controversial tend to be avoided or ignored. Special interest groups often influence politicians behind closed doors, without having to explain or justify their agendas to the public. The average voter is rather powerless, and responds by becoming apathetic and cynical.

The Citizens' Initiative Act would help to solve Alberta's democratic deficit by giving voters the right to propose legislation and have it voted on in a non-binding referendum. Sponsored by MLA Tony Abbott, this Act gives Albertans the right to do what the government already has the right to do: hold a referendum in which citizens have a direct say on a specific issue.

Citizens' initiative improves democracy by changing the focus of politics to issues rather than personalities. By increasing the individual voter's effectiveness, citizens' initiative decreases voter apathy and cynicism. Citizens' initiative enables the active participation of all voters in their democracy. It reduces the influence of special interest groups which lobby politicians behind closed doors. Citizens' initiative gives taxpayers the power to ensure that difficult and controversial issues cannot be avoided or ignored. It makes politicians more accountable and more responsive to taxpayer concerns.

The Citizens' Initiative Act (Bill 211) is a small step towards transforming Alberta from a spectator democracy to a participant democracy. If you want to increase accountability and openness in Alberta, tell your MLA to support Bill 211.

Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter

Franco Terrazzano
Federal Director at
Canadian Taxpayers
Federation

Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter

Hey, it’s Franco.

Did you know that you can get the inside scoop right from my notebook each week? I’ll share hilarious and infuriating stories the media usually misses with you every week so you can hold politicians accountable.

You can sign up for the Taxpayer Update Newsletter now

Looks good!
Please enter a valid email address

We take data security and privacy seriously. Your information will be kept safe.

<