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.

The Origins of Centralizing Executive Authority in the Prime Minister

Posted on 2011/11/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction The scholarly consensus on cabinet government in Canada argues that from Prime Minister Trudeau’s first government (1968 to 1979, the 20th Ministry) onward, the powers of the prime minister have become more centralized relative to both those of cabinet … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Officialization of Convention, Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Liberal Party’s “Roadmap to Renewal” Leads To Closed Primaries

Posted on 2011/11/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Liberal Party of Canada has elaborated on its plans to hold something akin to an open primary in the selection of its next leader in the Roadmap to Renewal. I mentioned the proposal in an earlier entry before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Direct Democracy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Royal Line of Succession: Coordinating Amendments to the Act of Settlement in the 16 Commonwealth Realms

Posted on 2011/11/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM, pronounced “Chog-m”) convened in Perth, Western Australia at the end of October. The Commonwealth Heads of Government discussed, among other issues, the Cameron government’s legislation to amend the Act of Settlement, 1700. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Succession (Sovereign), The Personal Union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Cameron Government Will Adopt a Clarity Act for Salmond’s Referendum on Scottish Independence

Posted on 2011/11/15 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Independent has reported that the Cameron government will put forward legislation that will either preempt or set the ground rules for Alex Salmond’s referendum on Scottish independence. The Cameron government would even call it “The Clarity Act”, like our … Continue reading →

Posted in The Personal Union | Leave a comment

Restoration of the Personal Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England

Posted on 2011/11/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

Alex Salmond, the current First Minister of Scotland, and his Scottish National Party won a parliamentary majority earlier this year – a significant first for the new Scottish Parliament and its mixed member proportional electoral system. The Scottish National Party … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Constructive Non-Confidence, Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, The Personal Union | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments