Do Canadians Distinguish Between Parties? Perceptions of Party Competence

Bibliographic Data

ID6238745
AuthorsRichard Nadeau (0009-0005-1392-3538, Université de Montréal), André Blais (0000-0003-4292-110X, Université de Montréal)
Year1990
Volume23
Issue2
Pages317-333
Publication date1990-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCanadian Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0008-4239 • E-ISSN: 1744-9324
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0008423900012270
OpenAlexW2048146352
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited15

This study examines perceptions of party competence in four issue areas: inflation, unemployment, international affairs and Canadian unity. Using Gallup poll data from a 35-year period, the study shows that in three of the four issue areas Canadians clearly distinguish between parties. These distinctions do not merely reflect party popularity and are durable rather than immutable; perceptions change slowly but do respond to government performance. Canadians see the greatest differences between parties with respect to international affairs and Canadian unity; the Liberals enjoy a substantial lead on these two questions. On inflation, perceived competence tends to reflect popularity while on unemployment, Canadians have greater confidence in the New Democratic party. On all issues, the Conservative party image has substantially improved under the Mulroney government

Competence (human resources · Democracy · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Perception · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Popularity · Unemployment · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Psychology · Public Administration · Social Psychology

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