POLI 101 - ALL

Regime

To rule

Refers to both form of gov. and underlying political principles that provide legitimate basis for that form of gov.

Kingship

One virtuous ruler, benevolent dictator

Tyranny

One ruler, personal gain/power

Aristocracy

Few rulers, ruling for the people

oligarchy

Few wealthy rulers, ruling for their own benefit

Polity

Rule by the many, for the many

Democracy

Rule by the many, acting in self-interest rather than law

Canadian Regime

Liberal democracy regime. Objective = Person liberty (freedom to live as you wish). Representative Democracy. Parliamentary, Cabinet gov, Responsible = Staples

LDR Fundamental Principles

Principle of Political Equality and Principle of Political Liberty

Social Democracy

Prioritizes reduction of socio-economic inequalities through gov assistance

Direct Democracy

All citizens directly involved in decision making

What makes democracy democratic?

Ppl consent to Policy by consenting to the government that adopts the policies

Demos

Rule by the poor majority, taking advantage of the wealthy (Tyranny of the Majority). Aristotle's reason for not like democracy

Representative Democracy + Why it is favoured

People elect to representatives to rule on their behalf. 2 reason:

1) Modern democracies to large for direct democracy

2) RD adds an aristocratic element to the regime

Populist

Elites with power used for personal gain

Political Liberty protects liberty through...

1) Scope of Action (What gov can do)

2) Method of Action (How it proceeds)

SOA

Liberal constraints limit government capacity to interfere where freedoms of expression, press, assembly. Restricts SOA to regulation of activities that have potential to harm others

Harm Principle

the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals

MOA -> Rule of Law

Government is not above law

Constitutionalism

Regime ordered w/agreed upon supreme rules

Implicit consent

Native-born canadians elected to live here -> using gov service + canadian protection

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

What is equality/political equality

Equal political status/standing, not equal wealth or social status.

What can threaten political equality?

Barriers to political participation, unequal electoral rules, exclusion, or socioeconomic inequalities that undermine equal political participation

What two arguments support liberalism?

Natural rights (what is given) and utilitarianism (what works).

What is the utility principle?

Government should promote overall welfare and happiness

Liberty

Individuals have protected private sphere of freedom in which they make their own choices

How does popular rule operate in Canada?

Citizens elect representatives who exercise political authority through democratic institutions.

Forms of direct democracy

Referendum, Plebiscite, Initiative, Recall

What is Plebiscite

Consultative vote of the people (giant opinion poll)

What is Recall

Redo on the election

Inalienable rights

rights that cannot be taken away (fundamental freedoms). Ex. speech

Liberty in Canada is...

• parliamentary protections of rights largely utilitarian ( 1867-1982)

• Written constitutional protections more natural rights based(1982- present )

• brand of rights in canada more balanced and utilitarian in law (natural in spirit —> we see people feeling attachment to rights in canada)

4 functions of a constitution

1) Establish what persons will exercise the various forms of political power

2) Provide an authoritative division between national and regional governments in "federal" countries

3) Delineate limits of Government Power

4) Provide orderly processes to make changes to it (the constitution)

3 types of political power

1) Legislative Power: Power to make laws & set policy

2) Executive Power: "Execute" or administer that law or policy

3) Judicial Power: Settle Q's about violations of law and choose suitable punishment for offenders

Division between governments

Federal/National: Handles unity related issues (national defence)

Provincial/State: Distinct policies (education)

Residual Power

power not explicitly given to any level of government

Delineate limits of Government Power

Existence of the constitution = limits on the powers of government

Provide orderly processes to make changes to it (the constitution)

Regimes don't stay static, so constitutions contain provisions for amendment

2 forms of constitutional rules

1) Constitutional Convention

2) Constitutional Law

Constituional Convention

Enforced by public opinion (ex. we all face the door in elevator rides, enforced by the public but no legal rules)

Constitutional Law

Rules enforced by the courts. Organic Statues and Entrenched constitutional Act

Organic Statues

Statues establishing constitutional rules to distinguish them from states dealing with everyday matters.

Entrenched constitutional act

Supreme law of the regime

Canada Constitution Act (1867)

Dominion of Canada.

Focused on Executive , Legislative, Judicial powers along with provincial constitutions and federal division of power.

Preamble: "similar in principle to that of the United Kingdom"

Canada Constitution Act (1982)

Focused on Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Amending Formulas, Indigenous Rights, Equalization and Reduction of regional disparities, and Definition of Canadian constitution

Royal Proclamation (1763)

Assets British sovereign authority over Indigenous lands and permits those lands to be sold or ceded to the crown.

Makes solemn commitment to protect Indigenous Peoples.

Judicial Review

Judiciary task of defining constitutional terms and determining whether laws or actions taken by the government are consistent w/them

Clarity Act

Parliament reserved right to determine whether a "question" and "majority" is clear

Responsible Government

Makes the exec responsible for its action to a democratically elected legislative body

Five conventions of Responsible Government

1) Ministers exercise executive power, their ‘advice’ to Crown is really a demand.

2) Crown appoints ministers out of people who are MP’s

3) Ministers act as a team led by the PM

4) Crown only appoints ministers that “have the confidence of” the HOC

5) When cabinet loses confidence of the house, PM must inform Crown that cabinet is resigning or request that crown arrange for new election

Collective Responsibility

Ministers who can’t support consensus adopted by cabinet must resign

Confidence

Support of majority of members in HOC

Majority Government

Party that forms the cabinet has over half the seats in the HOC

Minority Government

No single party holds majority in the HOC

Supply and Confidence Agreement

Minor party supports minority party on votes. In return, minority supports minor party

Coalition Government

Two (+) parties share cabinet seats and govern jointly

Four conventions for the formation of government

1) Ultimate responsibility for choosing the government must rest w/ Crown

2) Crown must choose the person whose government is most likely to have confidence of HOC

3) Government remains in office till PM resigns on it’s behalf

4) PM (& Cabinet) must resign if gov loses HOC confidence and has no prospect of winning new HOC confidence

Plurality

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