Author Archives: J.W.J. Bowden

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About J.W.J. Bowden

My area of academic expertise lies in Canadian political institutions, especially the Crown, political executive, and conventions of Responsible Government; since 2011, I have made a valuable contribution to the scholarship by having been published and cited extensively. I’m also a contributing editor to the Dorchester Review and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law.

Lack of Punctuation Turned the “Progressive Conservative” Parties into Oxymorons

Posted on 2012/03/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Conservative Party of Canada has undergone several name changes throughout its history. From the 1860s to the early 20th century, the forbearer of the modern political party called itself the “Liberal-Conservative Party”. The hyphen denotes the merging of two … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Parties | 7 Comments

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Debate on the Crown: John Fraser vs. Michael Bliss

Posted on 2012/03/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction The Macdonald-Laurier Institute held a debate on the Crown on 14 March 2012 on the resolution that “The monarchy is a dangerous anachronism”. John Fraser opposed it, and Michael Bliss supported it. The erstwhile republican Jack Granastein presided over … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences and Speeches, Monarchism v Republicanism | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Prime Minister Does Not “Represent All Canadians” – the House of Commons Does

Posted on 2012/03/11 by J.W.J. Bowden

Responsible Government and the Loyal Opposition Many of the subtle misinterpretations of the nature of responsible government derive from what some (and perhaps some of you, dear readers!) would consider “quibbling”, constitutional pedantry, or “debates over semantics.” I would argue, … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The Civil Service, Not the “Public” Service

Posted on 2012/03/06 by J.W.J. Bowden

As part of my series on the true nature of responsible government and Crown prerogative, I will now turn my attention to another part of the government that derives its authority from the Crown: Her Majesty’s Civil Service. The civil … Continue reading →

Posted in Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Demise of Responsible Government and the Crown Prerogative on Defence

Posted on 2012/02/26 by J.W.J. Bowden

Perilous Precedents: Parliamentary Approval of Troop Deployments Many scholars have lamented the Harper government’s alleged “abuse” of Crown prerogatives on prorogation and dissolution, and its overall attitude toward Parliament (i.e., the House of Commons). I of course disagree with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Cabinet's Powers, Crown (Powers and Office), Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments