Tamara A. Small - Böcker

Changes in technology and media consumption are transforming the way people communicate about politics. Are they also changing the way politicians communicate to the public? Political Communication in Canada examines the way political parties, politicians, interest groups, the media, and citizens are using new tactics, tools, and channels to disseminate information, and also investigates the implications of these changes. Drawing on recent examples, contributors review such things as the branding of the New Democratic Party, how Stephen Harper's image is managed, and politicians' use of Twitter. They also discuss the evolving role of political journalism, including media coverage of politics and how Canadians use the Internet for political discussions. In an era when political communication – from political marketing to citizen journalism – is of vital importance to the workings of government, this timely volume provides insight into the future of Canadian democracy.

Elections are not just about who casts ballots – they reflect the citizens, parties, media, and history of an electorate. Fighting for Votes examines how these factors interacted during a recent Ontario election.The authors begin by examining the province's political culture and history. They then delve deeply into the campaign by exploring three lines of enquiry that help define representative democracy: How do parties position themselves to appeal to voters? How is information from and about parties transmitted to voters? And how do voters respond to the information around them?Looking at information from a wealth of sources – from political party websites and debate transcripts to Twitter feeds – they provide a sophisticated analysis of the interplay between voters and political parties in an era of new media. The most complete account of a provincial election available, Fighting for Votes illuminates the evolving electoral landscape.

Elections serve as a reflection not only of voter choices but also of the historical and legal context of a country’s governance. Emphasizing the significant influence of the electoral process, Elections in Canada examines the intricate relationships between voter preferences, historical and legal frameworks, campaign dynamics, political figures, and media platforms.Organized into five comprehensive sections, the book provides a detailed exploration of Canadian electoral processes. Beginning with a broad examination of election administration, it situates the analysis within a wider democratic and comparative context. The book outlines key institutional building blocks and the unique constitutional and legislative settings that have evolved since Confederation. It analyses national campaigns, constituency campaigns, third parties, and journalists, as well as the pivotal role of political communication, debates, and polling. Reflecting on the diverse landscape of voter participation, the book considers the engagement of women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, and LGBTQ2+ communities. It sheds light on landmark cases, discussing five pivotal elections that had long-standing impacts on the development of Canadian political history.Ultimately, Elections in Canada draws on a variety of perspectives to provide politics students and instructors with a comprehensive overview of both contemporary and historical Canadian elections.