Canada and the State - PLSC 2231 Week 1

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Canadian politics, governance, and history as discussed in PLSC 2231.

Politics

The activities associated with governance, including the debate among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

Power

The ability or capacity to influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

The State

A political entity with a centralized government and sovereignty over a geographic area.

Citizenship

The status of being a member of a political community, allowing for rights and responsibilities.

The Road to Confederation

A historical narrative outlining the events leading to the unification of Canadian provinces in 1867.

Responsible Government

A system where the executive branch is accountable to the elected legislature and must maintain its confidence.

Core Cleavages

The major divisions in society that influence political behavior and conflict, such as ideology, demographics, and geography.

Federalism

A political system where multiple levels of government share authority over the same geographical area.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of governance where a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government.

Parliamentary Democracy

A democratic form of government where the party (or coalition) with the most seats in the legislature forms the government.

Ideology

A set of beliefs, values, and opinions that shape political behavior and provide a framework for evaluating political events.

Geography

The study of places and the relationships between people and their environments, significant in shaping countries.

Demography

The statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends within a population.

The Seven Years’ War

A global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763 that involved most of the great powers and was instrumental in shaping North America.

Rebellions of 1837-38

Uprisings in Upper and Lower Canada against the colonial government, seeking political reform.

The War of 1812

A military conflict between the United States and Great Britain that had significant implications for Canadian identity.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

A document issued by King George III, which aimed to organize Britain's North American empire and recognize Indigenous land rights.

Quebec Act

An act passed by the British Parliament in 1774 that allowed for religious freedom for Catholics and restored French civil law in Quebec.