Patronage as an Essential Element of the Canadian Political System (Essay Sample)

Patronage as an Essential Element of the Canadian Political System
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Patronage as an Essential Element of the Canadian Political System
The question as to whether patronage is essential in the Canadian political arena has elicited numerous debates. While pessimistic views argue that it is non-democratic and unfair, optimistic views assert that patronage is a fundamental and essential aspect within the Canadian political system. The term patronage attracts negative connotations, but despite this, the act of dispensing favours and rewards has proven beneficial to the Canadian people due to the numerous benefits it bestows upon them. Foremost, proponents assert that patronage creates job opportunities, contracts, and makes subsidy allocation inexpensive for both the patrons and clients. The relationship is mutual since the patron offers the client subsidies and prestige while the patron provides campaign funds or votes for the patron.
In the Canadian political front, patronage is viewed as a solution to the extreme bureaucratization of the government. Here, advocates assert that the act of patronage fortifies party discipline and unity by removing aristocratic barriers that exist in the political sphere. In a precedent article for Ottawa Citizen, Press (2012) argues that despite the negativity associated with patronage, the act is the “oil that keeps democracy running”. The implication is that patronage entices people into the public arena and helps put qualified persons in positions that promote Canadian public policies.
Overall, patronage remains a vital element in Canadian politics despite the negativities that its opponents associate it with. Its role in Canadian politics is evident as it continues to flourish in the upper echelons of the Canadian politics. At these levels, patronage attracts lucrative rewards such as appointment to the senate, ambassadorships, and federal commissions CIT...