The decreasing relevance of parliament is widely recognized and distrust in political institutions and political alienation is rampant (Armingeon & Guthman 2013). Researchers are debating why. Do these trends reflect the declining influence of citizens in the political process or the growing political polarization of political elites (Aucoin & Turnbull 2014)? Centre researchers will take advantage of advances in computational processing powers to collect and analyze large datasets of parliamentary speeches, election records, party platforms, and the legislative behaviour of members of parliaments to address these questions. The goal is to enhance understanding of party behavior and polarization in parliament and the changing linkages between citizens and their representatives.
Responsables: Jean-François Godbout, Sven-Oliver Proksch
Researchers involved: Jean-François Godbout, André Blais, Marc André Bodet, Éric Bélanger, Elisabeth Gidengil, François Gélineau, McKelvey Fenwick, Richard Nadeau
Research projects:
- Analyzing Parliamentary Voting in Canada since 1867 – Jean-François Godbout
- The modernization of Quebec electoral politics: the mobilization of parties’ support and identity discourse – Marc André Bodet
- Issue ownership, parties’ strategies, and citizens’ electoral behaviour: Comparing British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Québec – Richard Nadeau, Éric Bélanger
- Origins and consequences of MP’s declining role in the legislative process in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and UK – Jean-François Godbout
Projects completed:
- Les partis et les électeurs au Québec et en Écosse: une étude comparée – Éric Bélanger, Richard Nadeau