If there is one thing everyone can agree on, Canadians’ declining participation in their political system is a cause for concern. Yet there is much less agreement on the best way forward to increase participation again.  Samara’s guest blogger, Mark Dance, makes the case in a three-part series for new innovation outside of the traditional structure of Parliament. He argues for th... [More]

Saskatchewan voters head to the polls today, wrapping up a veritable season of provincial elections: Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador - not to mention the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Alberta, with a Progressive Conservative party ballot, could almost be counted among the company, too. As the dust settles, what can we learn? The November issue of Policy Optio... [More]

My prediction: Representative democracy is not going anywhere soon. However, Nicholas Kulish, writing in the New York Times last week about the surging protests around the world (England, Greece, Spain, India, Israel and most recently, New York’s Wall Street), is not so sure. He suggests that such protests reflect a shared crisis of legitimacy for both politician and the democratic politica... [More]