To power through reform

About this book

I show that historic democratic electoral reforms helped to create strong party government. Others argue that changes in the agenda, legislative institution, or electorate are primary determinants of when legislators begin voting in lock step with their party. I demonstrate that, despite these arguments, weak party voting endured well after an expanding industrial agenda and the centralization of power in the cabinet. Contrary to theory, party government, where parties are composed of MPs who always vote with their party, began only after reform vastly increased the diversity of the electors and the parties. The elimination of malapportioned constituencies weakened the authority of local elites and interests over MPs. Ultimately this suggests that it was not philosophical necessity that led to the expansion of democracy to the masses, nor was it attempts at short term partisan gains. Instead the reforms instituted a long-term consolidation of power in the hands of party elites at the expense of local interests.