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E-book
Author Docherty, David C. (David Campbell), 1961-

Title Mr. Smith goes to Ottawa : life in the House of Commons / David C. Docherty
Published Vancouver [B.C.] : UBC Press, ©1997

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Description 1 online resource (xxiii, 295 pages) : illustrations
Contents Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- 1 Building a Theory of Canadian Political Careers -- 2 Representation, Amateurism, and Turnover -- 3 The Candidates -- 4 Arriving in Ottawa: New Politicians and Old Rules -- 5 Turning Expectations into Actions: Living with Preference Rules and Roles -- 6 Coming to Terms with Parliament: Views on Leadership and Party Discipline -- 7 Home Style: Members and Their Constituencies -- 8 The Life Cycle of a Political Career -- 9 Leaving Parliament -- Conclusion: Members, Parliament, and Party
Appendix: Testing Models of Career Disappointment and Voluntary RetirementNotes -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y
Summary "In Mr Smith Goes to Ottawa, David Docherty compares the 34th (1988-93) and 35th (1993-7) Parliaments. The 35th Parliament appeared to offer a radical change. Over two-thirds of MPs were rookies and over one-third represented two new parties - the Bloc Quebecois and the Reform Party - both of which came to Ottawa promising to alter the current political status quo. This led some people to view the session as a crucial one, holding the potential to modify substantially the type of representation Canadians had known for decades. But the combination of new parties, new MPs, and new agendas did not translate into changes in the Commons. As Docherty shows, most of the new MPs, regardless of party affiliation, accepted a limited policy role and learned to appreciate the importance of constituency work." "Basing his arguments on surveys and extensive interviews with members of both Parliaments, Docherty examines the implications of these findings for larger questions of legislative reform and governance. In doing so, this book, the first in-depth look at the realities of political service, makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge of Canadian politics and the Canadian parliamentary system."--Jacket
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Canada. Parliament. House of Commons.
SUBJECT Canada. Parliament. House of Commons. fast (OCoLC)fst00539450
Kanada Parliament House of Commons gnd
Subject Legislators -- Canada
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Legislative Branch.
Politics and government.
Legislators.
Abgeordneter
SUBJECT Canada -- Politics and government -- 1980- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85019350
Subject Canada.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9780774853828
0774853824
1283131692
9781283131698