Politics Exam Flashcards

Flashcards from lecture notes.

Anarchism

A political ideology that rejects all forms of involuntary authority—especially the state—and advocates for a stateless society organized through voluntary cooperation and mutual aid.

Key Belief of Anarchism

Human nature is essentially good, rational, and cooperative.

Anarcho-communism

Collective ownership, stateless egalitarian society

Anarcho-syndicalism

Worker-run unions as the basis of society

Individualist anarchism

Personal autonomy, minimal communal ties

Authoritarianism

A political system in which a single authority holds concentrated power, suppresses opposition, and limits political freedoms.

Key Characteristics of Authoritarianism

Limited political pluralism, strong centralized leadership, limited individual rights, control over media, obedience prioritized.

Military Regime

Ruled by armed forces

One-Party State

Only one legal political party

Absolute Monarchy

Power inherited, unchecked

Executive Branch

Implements laws and runs the country

Formal Executive

The Crown (symbolic)

Political Executive

Prime Minister + Cabinet (real power)

Royal Prerogative

Special powers of the Crown

Orders-in-Council

Executive decisions issued by Cabinet and signed by GG

Legislative Branch

Makes laws, debates public issues, holds government accountable

House of Commons

Elected, representation by population

Senate

Appointed, regional representation

Speech from the Throne

PM outlines agenda

Budget

Minister of Finance presents spending plans

Estimates

Parliament approves spending

Opposition Days

Minority parties raise issues

Bills

Must pass both houses + Royal Assent

Fusion of Powers

Executive (PM and Cabinet) sit within legislature

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and ensures they comply with the Constitution

Judicial Independence

Free from influence by government

Judicial Review

Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws

Judicial Reference

Government can ask the Supreme Court for legal opinions

Supreme Court of Canada

Canada’s highest court

Multilateralism

Working with multiple countries to solve global problems

Bilateralism

Agreements between two countries

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization of appointed officials who implement government policies and administer public services.

Characteristics of Bureaucracy

Hierarchical structure, specialized roles, rules and procedures

Cabinet Solidarity

A constitutional convention where all cabinet members must publicly support and defend government decisions.

Purpose of Cabinet Solidarity

To present a unified government front and maintain political stability

Consequence of Cabinet Solidarity

Ministers who cannot publicly support a decision are expected to resign

Positive Aspects of Globalization for Canada

Expands trade opportunities, enhances cultural exchange, encourages cooperation.

Challenges of Globalization for Canada

Loss of domestic industry, foreign control over resources, public backlash against free trade deals.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of Earth’s climate patterns caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Collective Security

An agreement where states agree that the security of one is the concern of all

Purpose of the United Nations

To maintain peace and international cooperation

Key UN Organs

Security Council, General Assembly, International Court of Justice

Five Principles of Confederation Settlement

Division of powers, financial resources, federal control mechanisms, provincial representation, cultural guarantees.

Theoretical Analysis of Conflict

Human nature, internal politics, global power imbalances

Causal Factors of Conflict

Competing identities, ideological divides, oppression, control over land, valuable resources

Constitution Act, 1982

Patriated the constitution from Britain, giving Canada full sovereignty.

Key Features of Constitution Act, 1982

Included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, established a formal amending formula.

Royal Proclamation (1763)

First constitutional framework for British North America

Quebec Act (1774)

Recognized French civil law and Catholic religion

Constitution Act (1791)

Created Upper & Lower Canada, representative government

Act of Union (1840)

United Upper & Lower Canada, introduced responsible government

BNA Act (1867)

Created Dominion of Canada, established federalism

Constitution Act (1982)

Patriated constitution, added Charter, amending formula

Contagion Theory

Conflict or war can spread from one country or region to another.

Convergence

States or societies grow more similar over time due to globalization.

Divergence

States maintain or increase their differences due to culture, politics, or resistance to change.

Deglobalization

Efforts or trends that seek to reduce global economic integration.

Motivations for Deglobalization

Rising economic nationalism, local job protection, environmental concerns, distrust in global institutions

Federalism

A system where sovereignty is constitutionally divided between two levels of government.

Federal (s. 91) Powers

National defence, trade and commerce, currency, Indigenous affairs

Provincial (s. 92) Powers

Education, health care, municipal affairs, property & civil rights

Current Foreign Policy Goals

Promote democracy and human rights, lead in peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, enhance global trade.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Ethnic Cleansing

The forced removal of an ethnic or religious group from a territory to make it ethnically homogeneous.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of states through the movement of goods, services, people, capital, ideas, and culture across borders

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Businesses that operate in multiple countries.

Hard Power

The use of military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies.

Soft Power

The ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction rather than coercion.

Idealism

Assumes humans are naturally good and capable of cooperation.

Realism

Views humans as selfish and power-seeking.

Liberalism

Emphasizes democracy, human rights, and economic interdependence.

Influence

The ability to persuade or shape the actions, beliefs, or decisions of others without using force or formal power.

Coercion

The practice of forcing someone to act in a certain way by using threats, intimidation, or punishment.

Authority

The legitimate or accepted right to command or make decisions.

International Law

A body of rules and principles that govern relations between sovereign states.

Judicial Independence

Judges must be free from political or external pressures when making decisions.

Judicial Review

Courts can examine laws or government actions to determine if they comply with the constitution.

Judicial Reference

Governments ask the court for an advisory opinion on important legal questions.

Liberal Democracy

Balances majority rule with the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

Liberalism

Emphasizes individual liberty, equality before the law, and limited government intervention.

Conservatism

Focuses on preserving tradition, social order, and established institutions.

Socialism

Advocates for social and economic equality through collective or governmental ownership.

Nation

A group of people who share common characteristics such as language, culture, ethnicity, or history.

State

A political and legal entity with defined territorial boundaries and a government.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

'New Media'

Digital and internet-based platforms that have transformed political communication.

Parliamentary Reform

Changes aimed at improving the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of parliamentary institutions.

Party Discipline

The expectation that members of a political party vote and act in alignment with the party’s official positions.

Peacekeeping

Deployment of international forces to monitor and maintain peace agreements after conflicts.

Peacemaking

Active efforts to negotiate and resolve conflicts, often before or during fighting.