The Mixed Member Proportional Representation System and Minority Representation
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The Mixed Member Proportional Representation System and Minority Representation: A Case Study of Women and Māori in New Zealand (1996-2011) by Tracy-Ann Johnson-Myers MSc. Government (University of the West Indies) 2008 B.A. History and Political Science (University of the West Indies) 2006 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies In the Graduate Academic Unit of the School of Graduate Studies Supervisor: Joanna Everitt, PhD, Dept. of History and Politics Examining Board: Emery Hyslop-Margison, PhD, Faculty of Education, Chair Paul Howe, PhD, Dept. of Political Science Lee Chalmers, PhD, Dept. of Sociology External Examiner: Karen Bird, PhD, Dept. of Political Science McMaster University This dissertation is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK April, 2013 © Tracy-Ann Johnson-Myers, 2013 ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the relationship between women and Māori descriptive and substantive representation in New Zealand’s House of Representatives as a result of the Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. The Mixed Member Proportional electoral system was adopted in New Zealand in 1996 to change the homogenous nature of the New Zealand legislative assembly. As a proportional representation system, MMP ensures that voters’ preferences are proportionally reflected in the party composition of Parliament. Since 1996, women and Māori (and other minority and underrepresented groups) have been experiencing significant increases in their numbers in parliament. Despite these increases, there remains the question of whether or not representatives who ‘stand for’ these two groups due to shared characteristics will subsequently ‘act for’ them through their political behaviour and attitudes. With more studies emerging on the effects of electoral reform on minority representation, this study is timely in examining the effects of the Mixed Member Proportional system on the representation of women and Māori in New Zealand. Descriptive representation is defined and analysed in the study as the number of women and Māori who occupies seats in New Zealand’s Parliament and Cabinet. Substantive representation on the other hand is more difficult to analyse and quantify, and so a multi- pronged approach was adopted to better assess the extent to which female and Māori MPs “act” on behalf of women and Māori once elected to parliament. These include discourse analysis on parliamentary speeches in areas that can be considered women’s issues or Māori issues, content analysis of Members’ Bills introduced by women and Māori MPs and interview research. ii The findings from the study suggest that female and Māori MPs do enter parliament with good intentions and some do “act” and “stand for” women and Māori. A deeper examination of parliamentary activities and Members’ Bills introduced by female and Māori MPs in New Zealand however, indicates that the link between their descriptive and substantive representation is not primarily because of the electoral system, but is due instead to the political climate within which they work. MPs not only have to work within the confines of their respective political parties, but their actions are also constrained by party rules and regulations. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my adopted mother Dorene Morris. Her continuous support, guidance and love have sustained me throughout the years. Today I am a better person because she opened up her heart and doors and welcomed me into her home. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this dissertation would not have been possible without the support and guidance of my supervisor Dr. Joanna Everitt. It has been an honour to be her first Ph.D. student. Dr. Everitt’s knowledge of and expertise on the topic of electoral systems and minority representation not only made her a great candidate to supervise my work, but it also meant that I received fair and detailed criticism every step of the way. I am also grateful for the academic and financial guidance that she has offered me as I sought to pave a path for myself in the world of academia. My supervisory committee of Professor Paul Howe and Dr. Emery Hyslop- Margison also provided great support and encouragement as I worked assiduously to complete this study. I could always depend on these two individuals to not only read drafts of my dissertation and provide me with timely feedback, but to also present me with constructive criticisms. I would also like to acknowledge the School of Graduate Studies at the University of New Brunswick (Saint John and Fredericton campuses) for providing me with the funding that I needed to undertake this study. Dr. Linda Eyre of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department has also been a source of encouragement during my time at UNB. Herself and members of the IDST department not only answered my questions and concerns over the years, but most importantly, they welcomed me into the UNB family. Interviews conducted with current and former Maori and female Members of Parliament in New Zealand also contributed tremendously to the outcome of this study. I am grateful to the ten (10) individuals who took time out of their busy schedules to v participate in the interviews with me. Most importantly, I thank them for sharing with me, their knowledge and ideas about the role of Maori and female MPs in New Zealand’s parliament. Wherever we go in life, the journey is never the same without the support and love from family and dear friends. To my husband, friend, confidant, and personal cheerleader Dalton, I could not have done this without you. The road graduate students travel is often a difficult and lonely one, especially when it takes them away from family and friends. You have made my journey incredibly easier because of your continuous support and words of encouragement. Some days giving up seemed so much easier than moving forward, but you gave me a million and one reasons why I should continue to pursue my dreams. I aspire to be half the person that you are—always giving so much, but asking for nothing in return. I am also highly indebted to my friend Courtenay who supported me every step of the way. I could always depend on her to be at every oral defense and presentation. She was the only person who truly identified with my situation (probably because we were fighting the same battle!). Thank you for listening to my rants, vents and endless babblings. To Rochelle and Rhondene, you two have taught me a great deal about friendship and valuing the people in my life. Thank you both so much for always supporting me (emotionally and financially). Your generosity has not gone unnoticed. Most importantly, I am grateful to my family, especially my adopted mother Mrs. Dorene Morris who gave me a second chance in life. She never ceases to amaze me with her acts of kindness and heart of gold. To my biological mom Marjorie Hinds, I thank you for your love and support. To my brother Rayon, I am blessed to have you in my life. To the Viala, Obenson, Morris, Meuse and Parlee families, I salute you. These great vi people not only opened up their homes to me, but they provided me with tremendous support, scrumptious meals and a social life outside of school. To Dr. Jermaine McCalpin, Professor Rupert Lewis, Dr. Leslie Jeffrey, Tanisha Samuels and Marsha Boyce, I thank you for the roles you have played in my life and the contributions you have all made to this dissertation. Time and space will not allow me to mention everyone by name, and so to everyone else who contributed in one way or another to the outcome of this study, I thank you. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT. ....................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgement............................................................................................................... v Table of Contents. ............................................................................................................ viii List of Tables...................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures. .................................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1: Introduction and Methodology Significance of the Study. ................................................................................................... 1 Theoretical Framework. ...................................................................................................... 4 The New Zealand Case Study. ............................................................................................ 8 Methodology… ................................................................................................................. 12 Discourse Analysis. ........................................................................................................... 16 Measuring the Substantive Representation of Women. .................................................... 18 Measuring the Substantive Representation of Māori. ....................................................... 19 Maiden Speeches (Māori). ................................................................................................ 21 Content Analysis. ............................................................................................................