The fundamental underpinning of an effective democracy is debate amongst citizens as well as their elected representatives. The belief is that an informed and engaged citizenry will make for better democracy and better governance because, as the theory goes, the quality and substance of the public debate will create these preferred outcomes.
According to an April 11, 2008 Ipsos Reid release of on-line survey results 77% of Canadians think this is not happening in Canada. Only a third believes our politicians are doing a god job of debating the important issues facing Canadians. Ouch…considering that is a large part of why we elect them. And, just as bad, 79% of us think that we Canadians are “too reserved” as a people when it comes to debating important issues.
These findings are at the heart of some of the reasons why citizens are not participating in elections and the political culture of the country. On the up side, 86% of Canadians “enjoy being exposed to people and ideas that challenge the way they look at the world.” Perhaps our political parties, our public intellectuals and thought-leaders need to get out more and start talking to people where they live, work and try to raise a family.
The media is seen as doing a good or great job on thinking about the issues by 65% of Canadians, but 66% see NGO’s in this positive light. Not bad but 73% see more awareness and thoughtfulness about important issues coming from friends and family and 72% see universities as thoughtfully engaged in the issues of the day. The church is no seen as a source of thinking on issues – 63% say they do a poor to terrible job in this area.
In a time when it is hard to find an institution in our society that has not lied to us or betrayed our trust in some significant way it is not surprising to see these result. The gut-check most of us political activists do around civic engagement and political participation is confirmed by this survey. This authentication of the collective intuitive sense of what is happening to and in our body-politic does not alleviate the problem but it sure brings it into a sharper focus.
A comprehensive and contentious citizen engagement initiative that is not a tepid tinkering with the electoral process is an idea whose time has come. I hope the Stelmach government with consider such a genuine trans-partisan effort to understand why our democracy seems to be failing our citizens and our society and adding to cynicism as the default political position of so many people
I agree with you Ken about the need for a 'comprehensive and contentious citizen engagement initiative' but I think we both know that it will never happen. The PC government in Alberta benefits far too much from the current state of affairs and as long as they are in power they will work to preserve the status quo.
ReplyDeleteCitizen engagement is an idea and concept that is a fundamental foundation stone to a democratic society.
ReplyDeleteLack of a voice is what gave rise to the Reform party as the then federal PC government of the day shoved the GST onto the Canadian Public.
And paid the price for not allowing the publics voice to be heard.
The marriage issue was another example which has caused many more people to disengage as there voice was not heard.
This issue was more fractured than the GST only 70% opposed verses 95% on the GST issue,
Many of use who joined the Reform movement did so because we wanted a voice and means to engage our Government so we could be heard.
This was treated with distant laughter with the powers to be as they felt that we were out of touch, when in fact the arrogance of our political elite was in fact the the reason for the movement in the first place,
The public is now further disengaged as the Reform movement was effectively dismantled and absorbed into the system.
The challenge is how do you change the system so that it is bigger than the people running it.
How do you make your MLS's MP,s accountable to the people who elected them and not just accountable to the party they belong to.
For Political party's look at MP's and MLA's who who try to represent there voters first over the party as trouble makers and they are marginalized and after a while they just shut up and either become part of the problem or leave and become cynical.
So how do you engage the voter so that his or her voice is heard . So they not only feel they are part of the solutions and are actually involved in the decisions that effect there lives.
The first thing is start with the end in mind ( goal of what we are trying to do to build). then work backwards to built it.
Like building a house figure out what type of house want to built and start with the foundation.
The foundation is how we nominate and elect our members. The house ( vision) is how do we allow them to represent our wishes to the benefit of society as a whole. ( no one ever said it was going to be easy)
I believe it must be done outside the confines of party lines. I would suggest the need for a non political group like for example back in the early 80”s Bert Brown started the Alberta committee for a Triple E senate.
It was supported by liberals and conservatives in Alberta
While this goal has not been met the dream and vision is still alive. The flame is not burning as bright but it is still alive.
The dream of reforming our democratic society is not dead ,like the old song said the dream never dies just the dreamer.
We need more dreamers who want to built a better future for our children and our children's future .
Like Bert brown's original Alberta committee for a triple e senate that changed into the Canadian committee for a triple e senate we need an Alberta committee for Democratic Reform that will bring together people from all walks of life to engage in the job and vision of democratic reform
Not just talk about it like what I am doing ( it has to start somewhere)but do something about it.
I have a few ideas from fixed elections, how we nominate candidates, ect
Someone want to help get the ball rolling. ( hint hint ken )
This is bigger than right wing,left wing, it needs to engage the 90% of the people who are not involved,
the 60% of people who did not vote for one reason or another. ( the do not give a shit group )
If we do not find a way to engage the people in the long run we will lose our freedoms and someday we will find one of our leaders deciding we do not need any more elections.
By that time it will be to late.
David Fletcher
past president Edmonton SE Reform part, past candidate Edmonton Goldbar (2001) Alberta PC
Thanks for the insightful and timely comment David - good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteI hope lots of the readers of this Blog take the time to read and reflect on your words.
The liberals are responsible for that - the largest Canadian political corruption scandal in Canadian history.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 9:13 - is likely another Tethered Harper Tory who has never read any Canadian history.
ReplyDeleteGet real...and get informed while you are at it.
So you think the Chretien/Martin Liberals' adscam was okay, just part of business as usual?
ReplyDeleteGive me a break.
Why can't you guys just deal with things the way they are in a frank and candid manner. Spin-spin-spin...the facts are always in your way.
ReplyDelete