An IN-SIGHTS reader reminded me of the work of Robert Michels, a sociologist best known for creating the Iron Law of Oligarchy: All complex organizations—regardless of how democratic they start—inevitably develop into oligarchies, where power is concentrated in the hands of a few elite leaders. It asserts that bureaucratic, technical, and psychological factors force power to centralize, making true democratic control unsustainable.
BC’s uncomfortable political reality — REDUX
The material below the separator line was first posted at IN-SIGHTS in April, 2013. Today, an acquaintance reminded me about Sean Holman’s important work across many years. In the early days of […]
Accountability requires accurate and timely disclosures of BC’s finances
Years ago, Premier W.A.C. Bennett said the NDP “couldn’t run a peanut stand.” The BC Auditor General’s report on the province’s 2023-24 financial statements may reinforce that opinion. The Auditor General qualified his opinion of the province’s financial statements for the seventh time in the last seven annual Public Accounts released by the NDP…
BC ignoring public sector accounting standards
Auditor General Michael Pickup submitted a report to the BC Legislature titled Summary Financial Statements Audit: Supporting the Role of MLAs. It is to assist understanding of the province’s annual financial statements. This will seem like old news…
Defending democracy through public engagement
In my years of political observation, I have come to realize that elected officials individually have little opportunity to influence public policy. At senior levels of government, power has concentrated in the offices of the first minister. In local governments and school boards, In local governments and school boards, power is held largely by professional administrators. Public input is tolerated by the power holders, but not welcomed…
Transparency promised, something else delivered
This Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act proves that what happens in the BC Legislature today is theatre. Expensive theatre. We are not governed by elected representatives; we are ruled by the individual chosen as Premier and the people surrounding the first minister.
Architects of unrest
Events unfolding in Ottawa revive memories of January 2021 when Trump followers tried to subvert the democracy America has practiced for generations. Urged on by Republicans, hateful mobs repudiated civil behaviour and rejected the rule of law. Now, encouraged by Conservatives, similar protesters have taken centre stage in Canada.
Absolute disregard for transparency and accountability.
Had BC Hydro executives chosen to, the annual report and financials could have been released one to two months ago. Much of the report is boiler plate that is substantially reused each year and key business information is created internally within days of period end…
Who says no, when no needs to be said?
Are citizens of British Columbia protected from massive financial fraud? Frankly, we have little protection…
Trust in AG is broken
If the Horgan Government and the LAMC allows Auditor General Bellringer to direct a re-examination of the Legislative Assembly’s financial records, that is a clear sign, they’ve made a choice to sweep yet more scandalous behaviour under the carpet.
Something smells
Despite indulgent remuneration provided the BC Legislature’s senior executives — including sums paid secretly — financial problems at the institution have continued for more than a decade.
Don’t read this, it’s none of your business
In comments on the preceding article, a subject emerged that was apart from the beginning one but is worthy of separate examination. This is another iceberg type situation: much does not meet […]
Campbell’s wasted weekend with willy-wagglers
One-percenters making changes. Anonymous reader provides interesting links in the comment section after a shuffling of deck chairs among Bilder-burglars. It’s also worth bringing to the top because Paul Fraser has been […]
Canada’s most transparent government
Ian Reid is reporting that thousands of pages of BC Rail documents are newly released under FOI rules. All but five are blank. The word ‘five’ is not a misprint but I […]
Reining in political troublemakers
A short while back, on behalf of BC bloggers, I strutted about influence: Everyone knows that the mainstream media, with near unanimity, has supported Gordon Campbell and his government through thick and […]
Who protects us from the protectors?
In August 2007, three officers of the Sûreté du Québec disguised themselves and joined crowds gathered at a summit of political leaders in Montebello. Protest leader Dave Coles noticed three bandana-clad “burly” […]
Can you think of Canadian parallels ?
By George Monbiot, guardian.co.uk Why do our paranoid, anti-fun police seem to think they run the country?Morality policing here is starting to rival Saudi. At protests and festivals, we need to reassert […]
Justice is blind . . . to abuses
Attorney General Mike de Jong expressed concern about “. . . a growing disconnect between the justice system and the people.” No doubt, he is talking about citizen discomfort over his own […]
We have the answers, now for the questions
A news report about Yao Wei Wu: A 44-year-old man is recovering from numerous injuries in a case of mistaken identity by the Vancouver Police early Thursday morning, while they were investigating […]
Unswerving devotion to being perverse
Let’s hope they know more about managing investigations of crime than they do about managing public relations. July 23, Thomas Braidwood issued his report recommending severe restrictions on the use of conducted […]
in-sights.ca 
Surely sir, no one is suggesting that BC Hydro might be letting it’s own jitters about maintaining control of its…