In such a scenario, we would be looking at what political scientists often call a "democratic backsliding" or "illiberal democracy."
Technically, a country might still have some democratic structures like elections, but the substance of democracy would be critically undermined. True democracy requires more than just periodic voting - it necessitates:
1. Free and fair elections without manipulation
2. Robust protection of civil liberties
3. Separation of powers
4. Independent judiciary
5. Protections for minority rights
6. Freedom of press and expression
7. Ability to peacefully transfer power
If an elected government systematically by dismantles these core democratic mechanisms - suppressing opposition, controlling media, undermining judicial independence, restricting civil liberties - it becomes what's sometimes termed an "electoral authoritarianism" or a "façade democracy."
While such a government might technically claim democratic legitimacy through initial electoral victory, its subsequent actions would effectively transform the system into an authoritarian regime. The initial democratic mandate would be fundamentally corrupted by subsequent oppressive actions.
Ultimately, democracy is not just a single event like an election, but an ongoing process of maintaining open, accountable, and responsive governance that protects fundamental human rights and liberties.
Mob mentality isn't pretty at the best of times, but when it's been stoked for as long as this has with such an avid, personal focus on Trudeau, it needs to be pointed out that in the sweeping context of federal politics in Canada, it's truly become fucking WEIRD. That is, it's Poilievre who looks like a fanatic at best and a dangerous psycho at worst.
I guess if all the sporty boys have their face paint on though, beer in hand, and the bonfire's burning, that doesn't matter. Problem is, the Trump boost has waned, and you can only disrupt the House of Commons like they've been doing so many times before it palls and all starts to blow back on you. Today I heard the conservative Speaker of the House being questioned about his relentlessly rowdy members being suspected of drinking before showing u, so another blow to parliamentary decorum.
I've started watching question period this week because it's reminding me of the Convoy in that I'm waiting to see how it can be stopped. I feel sorry for the Speaker of the House struggling to maintain his authority such as it is, and his personal dignity, not to mention the young pages dutifully standing and sitting in accordance with the rules and his direction. I did see one interviewed at one point, and she expressed strong disillusionment for an institution she had formerly respected. No kidding.
Where are the cameras with footage of how it's the conservatives hooting, catcalling, booing and totally ignoring where they are, so focused are they on their white-hot hatred. This footage would be tough to explain, let alone justify, like so much of what these Reform con assholes have done.
It's absurd to say that Singh, caught in the middle of this, admittedly rather awkwardly, is the problem here. That's like focusing on the fact that Kamala laughed too much FFS. Bottom line is that the NDP ARE basically progressives like the Liberals, and together they represent the majority of this country whether the nasty fuck cons can accept that or not.
They're just horrible, the worst among us. A bunch of little boys who have grown into smaller men.
It's only the stubborn narcissism of small differences preventing the union of the left that already brought the braying cons "together" sufficiently to lay waste with a vengeance like no other (it's almost biblical, like some "god" is involved), and we're supposed to be the smart ones that keeps this political gong show/nightmare going, along with social media's misinformation machine. But we can't ever forget the hubris of otherworldly male egotism.
Actually, most of us just want government that GOVERNS, but politics has never looked more like Hollywood for ugly people....
So let's see; which is worse? A "vacuous" liar or a mendacious liar?
NDP-Conservative switchers exist, especially outside of the West Island or the 416.
You are making the mistake that every NDP vote would go to the Liberals and vice versa. Identity politics matter to many more than how much "free stuff" isn't being promised by each party.
Surely it's a minority that would consider the wholly unscrupulous Convoy Party interchangeable with the holier-than-thou NDP, but I get your point that identity/tribal politics have come to matter more than they ever have. Like most of the destructive societal trends we're currently struggling with, this is also attributable to social media.
The topic of merging the arguably progressive political parties DID use to come up with regularity in the past, so I thought the agreement was a brilliant response post-convoy to the unprecedentedly and newly binary political reality. I thought more of both the NDP and the Liberals, reflecting such a quintessentially Canadian accommodation (particularly Singh in an auxiliary position), but now he has abandoned the good faith agreement that made so much sense as his party (and he himself probably) sense federal power within reach again, unlikely though that is.
So Poilievre's successful vilification of Trudeau now accomplished through the former's vile, sheer relentlessness, coupled with the hammering for a horse race/election election leapt on by the media have helped plummet Liberal numbers in "polls," as if they weren't the mere snapshots they are. I've also read that Angus-Reid skews right, and in this aforementioned climate, it's hard not to consider that tendency across the board, along with the alienating effect of this whole frenzy on more and more voters, possibly the signature success of this whole chilling to the point of evil right-wing plan.
Progressives have had their shot for a decade now, and in the metrics that count they have failed. The most important metric is how Canada is doing vis a vis the Americans. After all, Canada is nothing but the rejection of the American Revolution. Economically, the Liberal/NDP have failed. The US is further and further ahead of Canadians under any metric on can produce. Socially, Canada is much more vulnerable than the US to civil strife and division. At least the Americans can rally around an idea and institutions that still work. Can the same be said for Canada?
Progressives in Canada have to actually accomplish things well, but all they have are promises and nice words.
“It is a great political stunt” which is only going to help Trudeau.
Perhaps Singh has to show he is a hypocrite with his statements about the government, but who cares? That is hardly news.
Poilievre solidifies his persona of annoying and unserious politician. Does Poilievre really want to be the record holder of failed attempts to trip the government? That does not appear to be very genius to me.
I agree with everything you say here, although I believe that both Renault and Rick know that Renault is lying, that he has to lie to his overlords and that Rick's American Bar will be open by noon tomorrow. Not a hill I'm willing to die on, but a pretty firmly held opinion.
While PP is just as much a SOS, so are all the federal leaders, and a good number of provincal ones as well. That said, only some see Singh the way you do, others see him through the cloud of a alt right fog and won't agree with the truth. This is important to remember, because it prevents a coming together of voters to eliminate the scourge of current Canadian politics, that being populists who don't fix problems, but use those to gain votes, and those telling bald faced lies.
He’s a liar, a snake oil salesman, and he is the only person who doesn’t understand that we all see through him.
It sounds like the perfect description of Poilievre here ... are you sure you're not confused?
Pierre isn't the one propping up a government 20 points behind in the polls.
Trump's election would prove the mob isn't always correct.
In a democracy it is though. It's a popularity contest. Do you propose another system of government?
Evil and persists when good men do nothing.
Sure, but you still have to incentivize them, even if it is just in duty and guilt.
In such a scenario, we would be looking at what political scientists often call a "democratic backsliding" or "illiberal democracy."
Technically, a country might still have some democratic structures like elections, but the substance of democracy would be critically undermined. True democracy requires more than just periodic voting - it necessitates:
1. Free and fair elections without manipulation
2. Robust protection of civil liberties
3. Separation of powers
4. Independent judiciary
5. Protections for minority rights
6. Freedom of press and expression
7. Ability to peacefully transfer power
If an elected government systematically by dismantles these core democratic mechanisms - suppressing opposition, controlling media, undermining judicial independence, restricting civil liberties - it becomes what's sometimes termed an "electoral authoritarianism" or a "façade democracy."
While such a government might technically claim democratic legitimacy through initial electoral victory, its subsequent actions would effectively transform the system into an authoritarian regime. The initial democratic mandate would be fundamentally corrupted by subsequent oppressive actions.
Ultimately, democracy is not just a single event like an election, but an ongoing process of maintaining open, accountable, and responsive governance that protects fundamental human rights and liberties.
Mob mentality isn't pretty at the best of times, but when it's been stoked for as long as this has with such an avid, personal focus on Trudeau, it needs to be pointed out that in the sweeping context of federal politics in Canada, it's truly become fucking WEIRD. That is, it's Poilievre who looks like a fanatic at best and a dangerous psycho at worst.
I guess if all the sporty boys have their face paint on though, beer in hand, and the bonfire's burning, that doesn't matter. Problem is, the Trump boost has waned, and you can only disrupt the House of Commons like they've been doing so many times before it palls and all starts to blow back on you. Today I heard the conservative Speaker of the House being questioned about his relentlessly rowdy members being suspected of drinking before showing u, so another blow to parliamentary decorum.
I've started watching question period this week because it's reminding me of the Convoy in that I'm waiting to see how it can be stopped. I feel sorry for the Speaker of the House struggling to maintain his authority such as it is, and his personal dignity, not to mention the young pages dutifully standing and sitting in accordance with the rules and his direction. I did see one interviewed at one point, and she expressed strong disillusionment for an institution she had formerly respected. No kidding.
Where are the cameras with footage of how it's the conservatives hooting, catcalling, booing and totally ignoring where they are, so focused are they on their white-hot hatred. This footage would be tough to explain, let alone justify, like so much of what these Reform con assholes have done.
It's absurd to say that Singh, caught in the middle of this, admittedly rather awkwardly, is the problem here. That's like focusing on the fact that Kamala laughed too much FFS. Bottom line is that the NDP ARE basically progressives like the Liberals, and together they represent the majority of this country whether the nasty fuck cons can accept that or not.
They're just horrible, the worst among us. A bunch of little boys who have grown into smaller men.
It's only the stubborn narcissism of small differences preventing the union of the left that already brought the braying cons "together" sufficiently to lay waste with a vengeance like no other (it's almost biblical, like some "god" is involved), and we're supposed to be the smart ones that keeps this political gong show/nightmare going, along with social media's misinformation machine. But we can't ever forget the hubris of otherworldly male egotism.
Actually, most of us just want government that GOVERNS, but politics has never looked more like Hollywood for ugly people....
So let's see; which is worse? A "vacuous" liar or a mendacious liar?
NDP-Conservative switchers exist, especially outside of the West Island or the 416.
You are making the mistake that every NDP vote would go to the Liberals and vice versa. Identity politics matter to many more than how much "free stuff" isn't being promised by each party.
Surely it's a minority that would consider the wholly unscrupulous Convoy Party interchangeable with the holier-than-thou NDP, but I get your point that identity/tribal politics have come to matter more than they ever have. Like most of the destructive societal trends we're currently struggling with, this is also attributable to social media.
The topic of merging the arguably progressive political parties DID use to come up with regularity in the past, so I thought the agreement was a brilliant response post-convoy to the unprecedentedly and newly binary political reality. I thought more of both the NDP and the Liberals, reflecting such a quintessentially Canadian accommodation (particularly Singh in an auxiliary position), but now he has abandoned the good faith agreement that made so much sense as his party (and he himself probably) sense federal power within reach again, unlikely though that is.
So Poilievre's successful vilification of Trudeau now accomplished through the former's vile, sheer relentlessness, coupled with the hammering for a horse race/election election leapt on by the media have helped plummet Liberal numbers in "polls," as if they weren't the mere snapshots they are. I've also read that Angus-Reid skews right, and in this aforementioned climate, it's hard not to consider that tendency across the board, along with the alienating effect of this whole frenzy on more and more voters, possibly the signature success of this whole chilling to the point of evil right-wing plan.
Progressives have had their shot for a decade now, and in the metrics that count they have failed. The most important metric is how Canada is doing vis a vis the Americans. After all, Canada is nothing but the rejection of the American Revolution. Economically, the Liberal/NDP have failed. The US is further and further ahead of Canadians under any metric on can produce. Socially, Canada is much more vulnerable than the US to civil strife and division. At least the Americans can rally around an idea and institutions that still work. Can the same be said for Canada?
Progressives in Canada have to actually accomplish things well, but all they have are promises and nice words.
“It is a great political stunt” which is only going to help Trudeau.
Perhaps Singh has to show he is a hypocrite with his statements about the government, but who cares? That is hardly news.
Poilievre solidifies his persona of annoying and unserious politician. Does Poilievre really want to be the record holder of failed attempts to trip the government? That does not appear to be very genius to me.
I agree with everything you say here, although I believe that both Renault and Rick know that Renault is lying, that he has to lie to his overlords and that Rick's American Bar will be open by noon tomorrow. Not a hill I'm willing to die on, but a pretty firmly held opinion.
Rick has to pay the bribe to get re-opened, and while he knows that the gambling line is a lie he is still sincerely pissed about the closure
WOW, just WOW...guess PP is a shoe in.....
Please tell us what you really think.
While PP is just as much a SOS, so are all the federal leaders, and a good number of provincal ones as well. That said, only some see Singh the way you do, others see him through the cloud of a alt right fog and won't agree with the truth. This is important to remember, because it prevents a coming together of voters to eliminate the scourge of current Canadian politics, that being populists who don't fix problems, but use those to gain votes, and those telling bald faced lies.