Social Studies 30-1 - Unit 1B: Democratic Systems

Democracy

A form of government in which power is ultimately vested in the people.

1. A decision-making process

2. A social system

3. A vision for society

Democratization

A process of transition as a country attempts to move from an authoritarian form of government to a democratic one.

Political System

A method of conducting government and the making of laws.

Separation of Powers

The constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

=> The legislative branch makes the law, the executive applies/enforces the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law.

The Democratic Agreement

The rule of the few will produce a government that passes laws for the benefit of the few. The rule of the many will create a government that legislates on behalf of the majority.

=> Government of the people will be government for the people

=> Elected officials are accountable to the voters

Majority Rule

In a democracy the majority rules with limits on dissent, those who disagree must respect the wishes of the majority without resorting to violence.

Civil Liberties

Democracy requires a guarantee of these:

1. Freedom of speech/expression

2. Freedom of the media

3. Freedom from arbitrary arrest and prosecution

4. Protection for minority groups in society

=> Freedom of association with the freedom to organize

Rights and Freedoms

Citizens must have formal equality before law with similar political and legal rights.

=> Rule of Law

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adults to vote for their representatives.

=> Ensures the right to vote for as many people bound by a government's laws as possible

Accountability

- Frequent elections at guaranteed intervals

- Democratic procedures for changes in the political leadership of the country

Free Elections

- No fraud, bribery, or intimidation

- Use of secret ballots

Peaceful Transition of Power

Elections will be held frequently and at guaranteed intervals thus ensuing accountability of those elected.

=> Representatives recognize and accept the Will of the People

Power of the Purse

The idea that funding comes from representatives.

Independent Judiciary

The concept that the judiciary should be independent from the other branches of government.

=> Guarantees that judges will be able to make decisions free of influence and based solely on fact and law

Political Parties

An organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections.

Multi-party System

The ability for citizens to create new parties.

Freedom of the Press

The right of journalists to publish the truth without restriction or penalty.

Lobbying

The ability to form interest groups.

=> Large corporate interests throw money at problems

Ombudsman

An official appointed to investigate individual's complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities.

Voter Apathy

- Huge problem historically for Canada

- Does my vote really matter?

=> Result of impoverished individuals who may lack access, knowledge, or experience linguistic challenges

Tyranny of the Majority

The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain to the detriment of minority rights and interests.

Party Discipline/Solidarity

- MPs will vote the way their party wants them to

- "Crossing the floor" is a dangerous move

=> Are constituents' values really represented?

Bureaucrats

The appointed officials who operate government agencies from day to day.

=> Do they hold more power than those who are actually elected?

Coup d'Etat

A sudden overthrow of the government by a military government.

Direct Democracy

When all citizens vote on every issue in the government.

=> Used in plebiscites or referendums

Representative Democracy

Choosing someone to represent the voters and act on their behalf.

Constituency

Electoral districts where each elected official represents roughly the same number of people.

Representation by Population

The number of elected representatives is determined by the size of the population in the region represented.

First Past the Post

The candidate with the most votes received in the election wins the contested seat.

=> Parliament may be over-represented by "winners" while the "losing" party is under-represented

Popular Vote

The majority of votes cast in an election.

Proportional Representation

The system that allows seats in proportion to their share of the popular vote.

Mixed Member Proportional Representation

A variety of proportional representation that has members of the public cast 2 votes rather than 1.

How Canada Votes

- By riding

- Single-member constituency

- Multi-party

- Prime Minister for as many term limits (elections every 4 years)

Single-member Constituency

- First past the post

- Nation divided into ridings; within ridings people vote

- The person with the most votes wins that seat

Responsible Government (Rule of Law)

The executive is responsible to the legislative, and can be removed under certain circumstances.

Electoral Accountability

The responsibility of elected officials to their constituents; voters can throw out corrupt regimes.

Vote of Non-Confidence

This occurs when a proposed bill receives less than a majority of votes in the House of Commons, defeating the government and forcing it to resign.

Coalition Government

A government in which two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature.

Snap Election

An election called earlier than expected; a new Prime Minister needed immediately.

Republican Democracy

- Power held by the people

- 2-party system

- Four-year terms with a two-term limit

- Checks and balances between branches of government

- Utilizes Electoral College

Electoral College

A body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

=> Based on state election

Fixed Election

- On the Tuesday following the first Monday of November in years divisible by four, the people vote for the electors

- On the Monday following the second Wednesday of December the electors meet and vote for the president

Conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom.

= Right of spectrum

Liberal

A person who is open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.

=> Left of spectrum

Liberalism

A collection of ideologies all committed to the principle of the dignity and freedom of the individual as the foundation for soceity.

=> Has faith in human progress and tends to favour decentralized power, both in political and economic affairs, and respect for the sovereignty of the reasoning individual

Moderate

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies.

=> Middle of spectrum

Gerrymandering

The political manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent to create undue advantage for a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency.

Backbencher

An ordinary member of parliament with no leadership or executive responsibilities.

=> Represent their constituents

Cabinet

The body of ministerial advisors that sets the federal government's policies and priorities for the country.

Constitutional Monarchy

A King or Queen is the official head of state, but power is limited by a constitution.

Constitution

A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society.

House of Commons

The first legislative body of Parliament whose members are elected.

Senate

The "sober second thought" that passes bills made by the legislative assembly.

Party Whip

An official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline.

=> Ensures that members of the party vote according to the party platform rather than their individual beliefs

Head of Government

The Prime Minister!

Head of State

The monarch!

Judiciary

That department of government which administers the law relating to civil and criminal justice.

Legislature

A group of people who have the power to make laws.

=> The House of Commons and the Senate

Plurality

Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election, not necessarily a majority.

Political Process

The ways in which individuals and groups use power to achieve public goals.

Congress

The legislature of the United States government.

Primary

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.

Executive

The person who runs the government and sees that the laws are carried out.

=> Prime Minister, King or Queen

Federalism

The division of powers between various levels of government with the understanding that the central government cannot usurp or overrule the other governments.

=> Federal and provincial governments

Parliament

A body of representatives that makes laws for a nation.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

Social Justice

The defence of human dignity by ensuring that essential human needs are met and that essential human rights are protected for all people.

Electorate

All of the people entitled to vote in a given election.