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.

Fareed Zakaria Is Right About Parliamentarism’s Efficiency, but Wrong on How It Works

Posted on 2011/08/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

Earlier I explained why the American form of presidentialism is inherently “irresponsible” (as opposed to responsible government in Westminster parliamentarism) because of its famous separation of powers, which is ultimately the source of all these fractious financial debates over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 8 Comments

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part II

Posted on 2011/08/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

The list in Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part I shows a clear trend toward the establishment of fixed-elections laws in Canada. British Columbia led the charge in 2001 and set the basic formula that all other provincial legislatures, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 4 Comments

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part I

Posted on 2011/08/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Over the next few days, I will present and analyse the fixed-election laws in the provinces as a follow up to my post on section 56.1 of the Canada Elections Act and the early dissolution of 2008. The following provinces … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 7 Comments

Flawed Republican Arguments Sadden One Canadian

Posted on 2011/08/18 by J.W.J. Bowden

Bob Hepburn of the Toronto Star expressed his dismay over the Harper government’s decision to restore the Royal designations to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy in his column Royal Return Saddens One Canadian. For the … Continue reading →

Posted in Monarchism v Republicanism | 11 Comments

Fixed Elections: Stephen Harper Did Not “Break His Own Law” in 2008

Posted on 2011/08/15 by J.W.J. Bowden

Historical Context of Fixed Elections in Canada Admittedly, this controversy occurred three years ago and may no longer be as relevant, but many Canadians (even academics!) still remain confused (or harbour resentment) regarding Prime Minister Harper’s advice to dissolve the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 12 Comments