Category Archives: Comparative

How the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act Complicates Brexit and An Early General Election

Posted on 2016/06/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Fixed-Term Parliaments Act Introduction Various British MPs like Jacob Rees-Mogg and journalists like Peter Hitchens have called for an early general election in the wake of Leave’s victory in the Brexit referendum and Prime Minister Cameron’s announcement that he will … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative, Confidence Convention, Confirmation Voting, Constitutional Conventions, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | Leave a comment

A Caretaker Convention in the United States?

Posted on 2016/02/16 by J.W.J. Bowden

This is of interest to me from a comparative perspective. I’m by no means an expert on the current practices in the American system of government. My analytics tell me that Parliamentum does have an appreciable American readership, so I hope that … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Constitutional Conventions, Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 3 Comments

The People’s Republic of Alberta: Alberta’s Very Unparliamentary Style of Politics

Posted on 2015/04/06 by J.W.J. Bowden

The American Custom of Press Conferences and Opposition Responses Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once explained to an American audience on C-SPAN what differentiated a Westminster parliamentary system from the American presidential system. At 21 minutes into the interview, … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition, Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 2 Comments

The Delegitimation of the Crown of Canada: Paul Heinbecker’s Argument Against Constitutional Monarchy

Posted on 2014/07/24 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Crown Hurts Diplomacy? Paul Heinbecker, a former Canadian diplomat and now the Director of Global Relations at Wilfrid Laurier University, contributed a column to the Globe and Mail entitled “The Monarchy Hurts Canada’s Standing in the World. It’s Time … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Monarchism v Republicanism, The Personal Union | 17 Comments

Allegiance to the Queen Means Allegiance to Canada

Posted on 2013/07/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

Permanent residences in Canada must swear or affirm loyalty to the Queen of Canada in order to become naturalized Canadian citizens. Military personnel, parliamentarians, lawyers, judges, and cabinet ministers must swear a similar oath (or make a solemn affirmation) before … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporation Sole, Crown (Powers and Office), Monarchism v Republicanism, Oaths of Allegiance | 5 Comments