Ontario Perspective: Führerprinzip in process of replacing democracy

by Joe Hueglin

	Political party elites have sabotaged various representative Canadians from becoming a Member of Parliament include Mark Warner (left) and anti-Free Trade and Organic Farming activist David Orchard (right).

Parliament was called together over 800 years ago. Over time decision-making powers came to rest in the hands of the elected representatives of all adult citizens. Gradually displaced, was the concept of an all powerful monarch whose authority was believed to come from what is still on our coinage, D.G., Gratia Regina, By the Grace of God, Queen. [1] Our system is now in the process of reverting to one in which power is concentrated in the hands of individuals, through application of the Leadership-principle. First stated in German as the Führerprinzip its justification is that "unquestioning obedience to superiors supposedly produced order and prosperity in which those deemed 'worthy' would share." [2]

Over time, decision-making power was removed from the monarch and placed in the hands of representatives elected by all adult citizens, from among candidates standing as independents or elected by members of political parties, at constituency nomination conventions. This democracy -- the making of laws by those chosen by their communities in Parliament assemble, one of Canada's legacies from the United Kingdom -- is now being subverted through growth in the powers of party leaders.

Orwellian Pyramid orientation of society where elites as party-insiders are at the top, and "the masses" as called 'proles'. Graphic credit reference: Netcharles.com.

Originally those standing as candidates for a political party were chosen by local party members, within a constituency, without let or stay from the party Leader. Power first came into the hands of party leaders when their signatures became necessary before a nominated candidate's name could be placed on the ballot, as standing for the party.

"Parachute candidates", individuals from outside the constituency being nominated in "safe ridings" has a long history. They were not imposed, however, but nominated with the "consent" of local members.

Those seeking a nomination today as a Conservative Party candidate, first of all, must have their qualifications vetted by the central party. They may be informed from above that their names cannot be placed before their party's constituency nomination convention. Nominated candidates when campaigning may be "informed" that they have been removed as candidates without the agreement of local members. Decisions handed down though a top-down elite-driven process are final. [3]

During the first week of 2008 candidates were appointed by both the Liberal and Conservative Parties without local nominations being held. Don Meredith was named Conservative candidate to replace Mark Warner, the former nominated candidate in Toronto Centre, who was removed in November. [4] Joan Beatty, was named Liberal candidate in the riding of Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River despite David Orchard being urged to seek the nomination and as a result spending weeks campaigning in the riding. [5]

Local members choices, were overridden in the cases of the removal of Mark Warner, in Toronto Centre, and Brent Barr of Guelph. In the appointments of Meredith and Beatty, decisions were made without reference to the local membership. These decisions were made in all cases, with the expectation that "obedience to superiors" would prevail.

Precedents are being set. Accepted once, such actions will in all probability become more and more common. Will they in time become the norm? Will democratic decision making at the local level be replaced by whatever you choose to call it, the Leadership Principle or Das Führerprinzip?

The trend line is here. The time to oppose it is now.

Endnotes

1. Dei Gratia Regina, By the Grace of God, Queen. LINK

2. Führerprinzip, LINK

3. Tories drop 2 would-be Ontario candidates Mark Warner, Brent Barr no longer party's picks, LINK

4. "Don Meredith, a prominent businessman and Baptist minister, was acclaimed as the Tory candidate in the downtown riding by the party's riding association." LINK

(5) "Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion today announced that Joan Beatty, former Saskatchewan NDP cabinet minister and Aboriginal activist, will be the Party's candidate" LINK

About the writer:

Joe Hueglin is a former Member of Parliament from southern Ontario.

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