SS10 Government and Politics Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and concepts for the Social Studies 10 Government and Politics unit, including branches of government, political ideologies, electoral systems, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Democracy

A system of government where supreme power is held by the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Dictatorship

A form of government where absolute power is held by an individual or a small group without democratic checks or accountability.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of government in which a monarch serves as the official head of state, but their powers are constrained by a constitution and exercised by an elected government.

Socialism

A political and economic ideology advocating collective or government ownership and administration of production and distribution to promote social and economic equality.

Liberalism

A political ideology centered on individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and progressive social reform while supporting a regulated market economy.

Conservatism

A political ideology emphasizing social stability, traditional institutions, free enterprise, and limited government intervention in the economy.

Totalitarian

A centralized, dictatorial system of government that demands total subservience to the state and strictly regulates every aspect of public and private life.

Authoritarian

A political system that enforces strict obedience to authority and limits political freedoms, dissent, and democratic participation.

Communism

A socioeconomic system aimed at establishing a classless society with collective ownership of property and the means of production, typically under an authoritarian state.

Fascism

An authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology characterized by dictatorial rule, forcible suppression of opposition, and strict state control over society.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, competitive markets, and capital investment for private profit.

Political Spectrum

A linear or multi-dimensional visual model used to classify and compare different political positions, ideologies, and parties.

Party Platform

The formal list of objectives, policies, and principles adopted by a political party to outline its positions and appeal to the public during elections.

Executive

The branch of government tasked with administering, implementing, and enforcing laws and running the daily operations of the state.

Legislative

The branch of government responsible for debating, amending, and enacting statutes and laws.

Judiciary

The branch of government comprising the legal court system and judges that interprets and applies the law and ensures constitutional compliance.

Governor General

The appointed federal representative of the British monarch in Canada who carries out ceremonial and constitutional duties on behalf of the Crown.

Prime Minister

The head of the federal government in Canada, usually the leader of the political party holding the most seats in the House of Commons.

Cabinet

A council of senior ministers chosen by the head of government to lead key government departments and formulate official state policy.

Senate

The unelected upper house of Canada's Parliament, whose appointed members provide sober second thought and represent regional interests.

House of Commons

The democratically elected lower house of Canada's Parliament, where Members of Parliament debate and pass federal legislation.

Supreme Court of Canada

The highest court and final court of appeal in Canada's judicial system, deciding questions of constitutional and federal legal significance.

Member of Parliament

An elected representative from a federal constituency or riding who serves and votes in the House of Commons.

Lieutenant-Governor

The Crown's appointed representative at the provincial level in Canada, responsible for granting Royal Assent and performing constitutional duties.

Premier

The head of government of a Canadian province or territory, leading the provincial cabinet and executive branch.

Member of the Legislative Assembly

An elected official representing an electoral district in a Canadian provincial or territorial legislature.

Mayor

The elected leader and chief executive officer of a municipal government or city council.

City Councillor

An elected member of a local municipal council who participates in voting on bylaws, municipal services, and local regulations.

Bill

A formal proposal for a new law or an amendment to existing legislation introduced into a legislature for debate and voting.

Royal Assent

The formal approval given to a bill by the monarch's representative (Governor General or Lieutenant-Governor), officially enacting it into law.

Party Discipline

The requirement that elected party members vote collectively in accordance with the official decisions and directions of their party leadership.

Free Vote

A legislative vote in which members of a political party are permitted to vote according to their conscience rather than following party discipline.

Majority Government

A government formed when the ruling party wins more than half of the total seats in the legislature, giving it complete voting control.

Minority Government

A government formed when the governing party holds more seats than any other party but fewer than half of the total seats, requiring cross-party cooperation to pass bills.

Riding/Constituency

A distinct geographic electoral district whose eligible voters elect a single representative to parliament or a provincial legislature.

First-past-the-post

An electoral system in which the candidate who earns a plurality of votes in a riding wins the seat, even without winning a majority.

Single Transferable Vote

A proportional electoral system using multi-member districts where voters rank candidates, and excess or eliminated votes are transferred based on preferences.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where the percentage of seats a political party receives in the legislature reflects the percentage of total votes cast for that party.

Canadian Bill of Rights

A federal statute enacted in 1960 that recognized fundamental human rights and freedoms, but was limited because it was not constitutionally entrenched.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

A constitutionally entrenched document enacted in 1982 that guarantees civil, legal, and political rights to people in Canada against government infringement.

Notwithstanding Clause

Section 33 of the Charter, which permits federal or provincial parliaments to temporarily override certain Charter rights for up to five years.

Fundamental Freedoms

Rights guaranteed under Section 2 of the Charter, covering freedom of conscience, religion, thought, expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Mobility Rights

Rights guaranteed under Section 6 of the Charter allowing Canadian citizens to enter, remain in, leave Canada, and move or work in any province.

Equality Rights

Protections under Section 15 of the Charter ensuring equal benefit and protection under the law without discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Legal Rights

Charter protections (Sections 7 to 14) safeguarding individuals in their interactions with the legal system, including due process and protection against arbitrary arrest.