Commentary
Feeling momentarily encouraged, I came across a photo of Britain’s compact new cabinet, prompting a comparison to our own oversized one. Initially, I pondered a Chestertonian paradox about the size of their Parliament versus ours. However, upon further investigation, I discovered that the broader British cabinet is actually quite large, undermining self-government by giving excessive power to the executive branch.
For instance, Parliamentary Secretaries receive a £23,697 bonus (C$41,398) on top of their parliamentary salaries of £91,346 plus expenses. Ministers of State receive £33,002, while holders of titles like “Assistant Whip, House of Commons” pocket £19,239. The proliferation of these positions highlights the monetary incentives associated with them.
Questions arise about the necessity of roles like “Minister of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population” in P.E.I. or “Parliamentary Assistant to the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions” in Ontario. These appointments reflect a trend among first ministers to create additional positions for political allies.
I do not use the term “coercive” in a negative sense. It is a fundamental aspect of governance that “government is force.” However, the unique aspect of the Anglosphere was the establishment of an elected legislature that serves as a check on the executive branch, ensuring that it does not overstep its boundaries and respects the rights of individuals.
Instead of aspiring politicians with grand visions of leading us towards a utopian society, what we truly desire is the freedom to live our lives without interference or manipulation from the government.
There are alternative models, such as “Convention government,” where the executive and legislative functions are combined. However, this approach has historically led to chaos and tyranny, as seen in the aftermath of the American Revolution and the “Reign of Terror” in France. Despite these risks, modern governance seems to be trending towards a consolidation of power.
In the past, monarchs attempted to assert absolute authority through force, resulting in disastrous consequences. The evolution of parliamentary government in the 18th century shifted the balance of power towards the legislature, ensuring that citizens’ rights were protected. However, the continual expansion of cabinets and executive powers poses a threat to the principles of limited government.
Today, both British and Canadian cabinets have grown exponentially, diminishing the role of the legislature in overseeing the executive branch. This trend towards increased centralization of power highlights the challenges of maintaining a functional and accountable state.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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