Democracy is nowhere to be found within this election

The 2011 Federal Election truly reflects the disconnect between Canadians and the political parties.

Obviously, with the breakdown of the Conservative government, Canada had a wake up call. Since then, the cries for democracy both from political parties and the public have dominated the political discourse.

Yesterday, the broadcast consortium shut Green Party Leader Elizabeth May out of the televised leaders debate. So, here is that first slap on democracy’s face. But now, we are facing a second possible assault on democracy: a one-on-one televised debate between Harper and Ignatieff. I understand that this might take place after the leaders debate; however, just the very suggestion of such two-party debate is more than politically dangerous.

The problem I see is this: all parties should be constitutionally equal in terms of the presentation of their policies and ideas to the public. This is besides the electoral advertising campaign (Conservative spending for which is being now investigated by RCMP, which by the way does not come up as an issue during THIS election).

By having a one-on-one debate, not only are alternative parties shut out of public discourse, but places the Conservative and Liberal Parties upon pedestals while undermining the legitimacy of other parties. This is particularly concerning to me; the two “major” parties have similar policies and ignore many issues that need to be debated for this election to be truly transparent and democratic.

Democracy is nowhere to be found within this election.

The way I see it, Canada is no longer democratic. The Canadian political structure is built by layers upon layers of undemocratic political parties, policies, priorities, and media practices. To attempt to restore democracy at this stage in our history requires a method of critical analysis similar as those by Marx and even Freud, the Masters of Suspicion. A task that might take years by the most celebrated academics.

What I see is a dictatorship run by a powerful few, a strong web of interconnected network of interests:

Why does the broadcast consortium deny the voice of the Green Party? What are the interests the broadcast consortium is protecting? What issues is the broadcast consortium attempting to avoid from reaching the public discourse? 

Whose interests would a one-on-one televised debate between Harper and Ignatieff serve? Why is this two-party debate even being considered? What are the political and social implications of this two-party debate? What issues would be left out should this debate take place legitimizing only two parties while undermining the legitimacy of alternative parties?

Canada deserves a democracy, but as in many areas in the world, democracy is not a gift. It needs to be fought for. And in order to restore it, Canadians are required to ask these fundamental questions…