Government

Governance

The act or process of governing or overseeing the control and direction of something

Reformed

Having been changed in such a way to be improved

Direct Democracy

All citizens participate directly in the political process by voting in every decision

Representative democracy

Citizens vote to elect representatives to act on their behalf and voice the view of the voters

Communism

• extreme left-wind ideology

• calls for abolishment of private property, promotes collective ownership

Capitalism

An economic system in which trade and industry of the economy is owned and controlled by private individuals, to make profit

Socialism

• principle means of product, distribution, and exchange are common ownership

  • supports government intervention and regulation in the economy

Facism

• a nationalistic, top down system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all powerful dictator

  • extreme right wing ideology

  • no freedom

Constitutional monarchy

a form of a monarch in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution.

Federal jobs

• foreign policy

• immigration

• taxation and currency

• criminal laws

• transportation

• national defence

• employment insurance

• the postal system. 
  
  
  
  
  

Provincial jobs:

• education

• healthcare (the federal government pays a portion of the cost of healthcare and higher education)

• provincial taxation

• provincial police

• the management of natural resources

• roads and bridges

• workers' compensation programs

• housing

Municipal Jobs

• libraries

• local police

• local school

• fire departments

• public transport

• building permits

• parks and recreation

• garbage and recycling collection. 

Executive Branch

make and apply government decisions

Legislative branch

debates, makes and amends laws

Judicial branch

interpreting laws and passing judgments

Prime Minister

head of federal government

Cabinet

committee of minsters that holds executive power

Question period

a time when the opposition members can question government action or raise issues of concern

Shadow Cabinet

leader of opposition and other opposition party leaders are allowed to ask first questions in the daily question period

Parliment

Canada’s legislature, the federal institution with the power to make laws, raise taxes, authorize government spending

The senate: upper chamber

• composed of 105 senators

• appointed by governor general on advice of PM

• represent canada’s regions/provinces/territories

• may serve until mandatory retirement at 75

House of commons: lower chamber

• elected assembly of parliament

• elected by Canadians to represent electoral districts (ridings)

• 336 seats in the house of commons

government

• broader term

  • inside house of commons = usually refer to PM, cabinet, and other members of governing party

  • outside the house = the term also includes government departments

Majority government

party holds more than half the seats in the house of commons

minority government

• more seats than any other party

• not more than the others combined

coalition government

A type of minority government when two parties join together to temporarily form government. made up of both parties

Backbenchers

members of governing party who are not in the cabinet

party whip

some parties elect an MP of their party in charge of disciplining their members if they speak out against their party

public servants

employees of federal government who represent the link between citizens and the government. daily tasks of answering questions, gathering statistics and delivering mail

Deputy ministers

most senior public servants. play large role in advising ministers and even help in drafting new laws

Caucus

a type of meeting

• provides a place/forum where members can debate amongst themselves privately

Bill

a proposed law that may or not be passed into an actual law

first reading

• bill is introduced into house of commons

• printed and distributed to all members

second reading

• members of parliament debate the bill’s principle

comittee stage

• smaller groups of MPs study the bill

• hear from witnesses

• amends may be proposed/developed

report stage

• members of parliament in the house of commons suggest amendments

• amendments debated by members before being approved

third reading

• members debate whether the bill should be passed by the house of commons or not

• final vote called

  • passed by house of commons

the senate (law)

• senate reviews bill

• serves as final check

royal assent

• governor general gives final approval to the bill

• bill = law

Compare and contrast fascism

Fundemental freedoms

Including those pertaining to conscience, religion, thought, expression, peaceful assembly, and association

Democratic rights

The right to vote and be eligible to serve for the House of Commons and the legislative assembly, and the right to elections at least every five years.

Mobility rights

To enter, remain in, or leave Canada, and to move into and earn a living in any province. This is subject to certain limitations in order to provide for “affirmative action” programs for the socially or economically disadvantaged.

Legal rights

Includes such things as the right to a fair and reasonably prompt public trial by an impartial court.

Equality rights

No discrimination on grounds of race, national, or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or mental or physical disability

Official language rights

Makes English and French the official languages of Canada that must be represented in all government institutions.

Minority language education rights

Allows for French- or English-speaking minority groups to be educated in their own language.

Human rights

Rights to which all humans are entitled to

• Based on morality

• Not necessarily legally sanctioned in all countried

What event inspired the creation of the UN

Response to the injustices/human rights violations in the second world war

What are the four main purposes of the Un

• To keep peace throught the wolf

• To develop friendly relations among nations

• To help nations work together to improve lives of people/conquer hunger, disease, literacy/encourage respect for each pther’s rights and freedoms

• to be a center for harmonizing tthe nations to achieve these goals

Why is the UN significant

• they acknowledge that all human beings have specific rights and freedoms.

• It is also imporant because it aids in the fight against injustice and produces results.

UN limitations

• The United Nations is not able to directly enforce any of it's decisions such as the Universal Declaration.

• However, they are able to bring global attention to issues and offending countries.

What ways can the UN work to stop Human Rights injustices?

• International attention: The UN is able to bring massive amounts of global attentions to issues.

• Arbitration: A formal way to resolve disagreements.

• Econmic sanctions: The withdrawl of trade and financial relations to foreign countries.