More Democracy... or Less?

An analysis of how Canada chooses its leaders.

Interview by Joel Trono-Doerksen

 — Posted October 15, 2019

Royce Koop, head of the Political Science department at the University of Manitoba, sat down with Canada’s History intern Joel Trono-Doerksen to discuss the recent article written by Christopher Moore about the 100th anniversary of the Liberal Convention where the party leader was chosen by members and not the caucus.

In this interview, they discuss the process of choosing a party leader, whether the system we have now is more or less democratic and how other countries choose the leaders of their parties.

Related to this topic

The Ballots Question

In 1919, a federal political party held a convention to choose its leader, forever changing the way politics is practised in Canada.

You Don't Vote for Kings

Legitimate political power derives from a mandate from the masses — that’s today’s theory. But in practice, Canada’s governing elites historically have often tried their best to snub the masses.

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The article “The Ballots Question,” written by Christopher Moore, is featured in our October-November issue of Canada’s History.

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