Government and Opposition: Structural Influences on Provincial Legislators

Abstract

This is a study of the roles and attitudes of members of provincial legislatures in British Columbia and Ontario. Its major purpose is to test the hypothesis that the roles and attitudes of members are affected by their status: as ministers, government backbenchers, or members of the opposition. The study investigates representational and areal roles, perceptions of the legislative job, attitudes toward party, and perceptions of party leadership and of the caucus. Generally the findings show that status does affect these roles, attitudes, and perceptions, even when controlling for several social background variables and party membership.