Responsiveness in Canadian federal ministerial resignations from 1945-2011

Byrne, Matthew (2011) Responsiveness in Canadian federal ministerial resignations from 1945-2011. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Responsiveness literature has focussed primarily on the relationship between public opinion and policy outputs. The thermostatic model in particular provides both a comprehensive and well supported framework for this relationship. This thesis adds to the responsiveness literature by exploring the potentially thermostatic relationship between public opinion and ministerial resignations in Canada from 1945 to 2011. The impact of changes of public opinion on resignations is explored qualitatively to highlight relevant variables. This analysis is complemented with the use of honour ratios to test other potential causes of resignations that have been highlighted in the qualitative analysis and resignation literature. Finally, regression models are used to determine the significance of the impact of public opinion on ministerial resignations and resignations on public opinion. Though no significant relationship is found, the complexities of ministerial resignations and public opinion are explored and illuminated.

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