Are Political Parties In Decline?

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Are Political Parties in Decline?

Are Political Parties in Decline?

No: Ronald Landes In Defence of Canadian Political Parties

Strong point-

Ronald Landed mentions that the several functions of a political party

focus on the responsibilities of it. His strongest point too lies within the

responsibilities of political governing. Walt Bagehot explains that a

political party's chief role is to join the government's executive portion to

that of the legislative portion. In short, Bagelot believes that parties force

the government to run smoother, and encourage them to solve more problems.

Weak point-

Landes' weakest point is in regards to the function of party financing.

More spefically the electroal functions of the parties financing. He feels

that because a party can raise money year in and year out (in fact the money is

flowing more than ever), that the organization is successful. A simple

explantion exists explaining why more money is coming into the political

parties. First of all government legislation has changed regarding the amounts

of donations which can be made, i.e. parties can now take more, and larger

donations. Secondly, politicians are more bussiness oriented and influenced by

large corporations and recieve large donations for corporate involvements.

Parties are not more influencial due to more money, nor are they better

organized.

Yes: John Meisel Decline of Party in Canada

Strong point-

John Meisel states that the primary factor leading to the dircet

declination of political parties in Canada is the rise of the bureaucratic

state. Modern Politics have eclipsed the past when political parties did not

need to gain specific knowledge as the focused on a few key points rather than

large amounts of responsibility. Today too many complex issues are dumped upon

our elected representatives, and they have no hope in being able to deal with

all the issues or give the proper amount of time and care. The development of

appointed civil severents has greatly aided in the solution of this problem, but

unfortunatley the elected representitives have lost control over the matters.

Meisel stated that politicians now can only sit back and observe the results of

the civil servants and accept these results. The officials now can no longer

act for the good of the people but rather must obey the control of the civil

servants.

Weak point-

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