Chapter 1 - Regime Principles

POLI 101 - Midterm

Regime

institutions of government and principles that make up those institutions

Canadian Regime Principles

equality, liberty, popular rule, reconciliation

Aristotle’s question

who rules and for what purpose?

kingship

(just) single ruler with the interest of their country, “benevolent dictator”

tyranny

(unjust) single ruler concerned with their own benefit

Aristocracy

(just) a few elites interested in the greater good 

Oligarchy

(unjust) few people using their position for private economic advantages

Polity

(just) many ruling for the sake of common good - “constitutional democracy”

Democracy

the rule of the people, majority rules (unjust)

Tyranny of the Majority

only the preferences of the majority are considered and sidelines the minority voices

Political Equality

Everyone has the right to vote and has equal opportunity to influence government decisions and is treaty equally under the law and no one is above it (including the government)

Parliamentary Democracy

‘Representative democracy’: a more limited form of government where decisions are made by the members of Parliament and executive branch is appointed by the legislative branch

Political Equality 

political power is granted to all citizens equally, everyone has the right to vote

Direct Democracies

citizens are directly involved in decision-making by way of political assemblies

Plebiscite

non-binding vote of the people

Initiative

proposed law that can be decided by popular vote

Referendum

a public vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision

Recall

initiative-styled process to remove an elected representative from office (if they refuse to resign)

Popular Sovereignty ("Popular Rule")

representative government - have the choice to make their own judgements/methods to deal with issues, indirect: we choose representatives

Representative Democracy

elected by the people to make rules and decisions

Reasons for representative democracy

smoother process and informed voters, people elected for longer/shorter times to prevent oppression

Chief officers of the government

position chosen indirectly, made by members of parliament

Chief officer abilities

deciding which party leader can command confidence of the house, establish the government to be responsible for the Hoouse

Republican - regime

full and final authority placed in the hands of peoples elected representatives and officers, the power is given to the people to serve their interests - established by the U.S. Constitution

Equality of citizenship

we all have equal right to run for public office, and whoever is elected must be in some way accountable or answerable to the people as a whole for their actions

Liberal Democracy

system of government where the individual rights are recognized and protected, and political power is limited by the official rule of law

Liberal Democracy: list of rights

protection of private sphere, respect for minority rights, the rule of law

private sphere

all individuals have the right to make choices for themselves (religion, etc)

public sphere

areas of social life which affects other and is within the necessary control of the government (traffic regulations, etc) 

natural rights

"“inalienable rights” - given rights that cannot be taken away by the law (human rights)

utilitarianism

the “usefulness” as a means of promoting human happiness, rights are created within each regime in response to circumstances

Harm Principle

government should not interfere if the individual is not harming others or themselves. individuals must develop their own freedom/individuality as fully as possible and act on the basis of their own ideas

Harm Principle reasons 

show why laws that limit our individual liberty is necessary and to prevent direct harm to other human beings

Respect for Minority rights

prohibiting discrimination on basis of race, religion and other characteristics, power must assure equal treatment for those in the minority

the rule of law

dictates that government itself is not above the law and that every action the government takes must be grounded in some legal authority

Constitutionalism

idea that the regime must be ordered in accordance with agreed-upon rules

Liberal regime

fixing limits to the power of those who rule 

Consent

citizens are freely consented to be governed by particular regimes and its laws and are obligated to obey those laws

How consent is given

being born in the country or immigration, voting in elections

Citizenship

rights to participate in regime on those who have consented to accept its authority and abide by its rules

Settler-colonial regime

a system of oppression based on genocide and colonialism, that aims to displace a population of a nation (oftentimes indigenous people) and replace it with a new settler population.

how is Canada “indirect of Indirect democracies

multiple levels of decision making, sprouted from the form of government of the UK

Republican Regime

final authority is placed in the hands of the people's elected representative and officers

Canadian Political Equality

we all have equal right to run for public office and whoever is elected/appointed must be in some way answerable/accountable to the people as a whole for their actions