Michael is interested in how election laws in Canada impact political parties and the exercise of democracy. Q & A courtesy of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
Tell us about your research project:
My research looks at how elected representatives design election laws to change the rules of the game in order to diminish their accountability to voters. This self-dealing undermines the democratic process and leads to elections that are less than free and fair. It results in rules on campaign finance, party funding, election administration, and drawing electoral boundaries that insulate partisans or incumbents from political accountability. I argue that partisan self-dealing is a much more prevalent issue than we have previously acknowledged in Canada. Courts, nonpartisan and independent electoral boundary commissions, and election commissions like Elections Canada need to prevent political insiders from changing the rules of the game to help themselves.
What brought you to choose your research project in particular?
My parents and grandparents came from countries where democracy was not a given, so I grew up with an appreciation of how fragile democracy is. I worked in federal and provincial politics before pursuing my doctorate. I started out as a non-partisan intern on Parliament Hill when the federal electoral boundaries were redrawn in 2002, working for an MP whose committee had oversight of election law. Without much public attention being paid to it, I saw how changes in riding boundaries can shape who wins elections and how Canadians are represented. This taught me how the laws underlying democracy shape day-to-day politics and made me want to study how to ensure a fair democratic process.
What is new or surprising about your research?
My research looks at partisan self-dealing comparatively, across Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and India. It shows that partisan self-dealing around election law is a much bigger problem than has generally been acknowledged. It also looks at institutions such as electoral boundary commissions and national election commissions, which have been largely ignored.
What is the central idea of your research?
My research shows that many of our election laws, as well as those in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and India, are attempts to stifle political competition in order to achieve partisan ends. Courts have too often failed to ensure a fair democratic process.
Who, in your opinion, will most benefit from your findings?
I think that Canadian voters will benefit the most from this research, as it aims to improve democracy.
