Category Archives: History of British North America

The Westminster Origins of the United States Congress

Posted on 2011/08/01 by J.W.J. Bowden

Despite my earlier criticism of the American form of government, I believe that its institutional origins rest fundamentally in a British mould – but from an earlier time that predates the entrenchment of responsible government. The American Congressional-Presidential system of … Continue reading →

Posted in History of British North America, Whigs v Tories | 9 Comments

Crowned Maces in the Legislatures of South Carolina and Virginia

Posted on 2011/07/18 by J.W.J. Bowden

I chose a British parliamentary mace as the header for Parliamentum, because the mace represents the Crown-in-Parliament (sometimes called the Queen-in-Parliament) and the authority of the Speaker and of the House of Commons to pass laws; it always points toward … Continue reading →

Posted in History of British North America, Parliament, Traditions and History | 7 Comments

“Confederation Day”: I Agree With Eugene Forsey On Something!

Posted on 2011/07/16 by J.W.J. Bowden

 I view the Canadian scholarship on issues like the appropriate extent of the governor general’s reserve power as a clash between two opposing camps whose basic positions have changed little, if at all, over the past eighty years. Only the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dominion Day, History of British North America, Parliament | 10 Comments