At the Centre of Government

The Prime Minister and the Limits on Political Power

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International
Cover of the book At the Centre of Government by Ian Brodie, MQUP
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ian Brodie ISBN: 9780773553781
Publisher: MQUP Publication: April 30, 2018
Imprint: MQUP Language: English
Author: Ian Brodie
ISBN: 9780773553781
Publisher: MQUP
Publication: April 30, 2018
Imprint: MQUP
Language: English

“Canada’s prime minister is a dictator.” “The Sun King of Canadian government.” “More powerful than any other chief executive of any other democratic country.” These kinds of claims are frequently made about Canada’s leader – especially when the prime minister’s party holds a majority government in Parliament. But is there any truth to these arguments? At the Centre of Government not only presents a comprehensively researched work on the structure of political power in Canada but also offers a first-hand view of the inner workings of the Canadian federal government. Ian Brodie – former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada – argues that the various workings of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office, the cabinet, parliamentary committees, and the role of backbench members of Parliament undermine propositions that the prime minister has evolved into the role of an autocrat, with unchecked control over the levers of political power. He corrects the dominant thinking that Canadian prime ministers hold power without limits over their party, caucus, cabinet, Parliament, the public service, and the policy agenda. Citing examples from his time in government and from Canadian political history he argues that in Canada’s evolving political system, with its roots in the pre-Confederation era, there are effective checks on executive power, and that the golden age of Parliament and the backbencher is likely now. Drawing on a vast body of work on governance and the role of the executive branch of government, At the Centre of Government is a fact-based primer on the workings of Canadian government and sobering second thoughts about many proposals for reform.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

“Canada’s prime minister is a dictator.” “The Sun King of Canadian government.” “More powerful than any other chief executive of any other democratic country.” These kinds of claims are frequently made about Canada’s leader – especially when the prime minister’s party holds a majority government in Parliament. But is there any truth to these arguments? At the Centre of Government not only presents a comprehensively researched work on the structure of political power in Canada but also offers a first-hand view of the inner workings of the Canadian federal government. Ian Brodie – former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada – argues that the various workings of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office, the cabinet, parliamentary committees, and the role of backbench members of Parliament undermine propositions that the prime minister has evolved into the role of an autocrat, with unchecked control over the levers of political power. He corrects the dominant thinking that Canadian prime ministers hold power without limits over their party, caucus, cabinet, Parliament, the public service, and the policy agenda. Citing examples from his time in government and from Canadian political history he argues that in Canada’s evolving political system, with its roots in the pre-Confederation era, there are effective checks on executive power, and that the golden age of Parliament and the backbencher is likely now. Drawing on a vast body of work on governance and the role of the executive branch of government, At the Centre of Government is a fact-based primer on the workings of Canadian government and sobering second thoughts about many proposals for reform.

More books from MQUP

Cover of the book Beating against the Wind by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Getting a Life by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Beyond the Noise of Solemn Assemblies by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book The Edge of the Precipice by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Imagining Holiness by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Inside Politics by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Reclaiming Indigenous Planning by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book The Dragon's Footprints by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book East Asia-Arctic Relations by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Democratic Society and Human Needs by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Stauffenberg by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Revitalizing Rural Economies by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book Republicanism and Responsible Government by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book The Experience of Beauty by Ian Brodie
Cover of the book History in the Age of Abundance? by Ian Brodie
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy