Liberal Democracy SOCIAL STUDIES 30-2

Democracy Definition

Democracy is a political system where the people have power to make or influence the government's decision directly or indirectly through the process of elections.

Liberal Democracy

A form of government in which the rights and freedoms of the individual are guaranteed, including the right of individuals to vote for the political leaders of their country.

Why did the Canadian government deny Dan Galloway?

Supported a palestinian millitant political movement that is considered a terrorist organization by canada and some other countries and organizations.

What are the key values of authoritarin political system?

Authoritarian political systems favour strong central power, stability, control, limited political diversity, economic control, and restricted individual rights, These systems prioritise authority centralization, frequently at the expense of individual liberties and political plurality.

What are some of the values of democracies?

Democracies, on the other hand, focus on liberal values, such as the individual rights of people when marking decisions. One value is respecting for the will of the people, or the majority of what the citizens want.

Define Personal Freedom

Includes free speech, religious liberty, private property and the right of politcial opposition

Define Limited Government

Role of the state is to protect the community from external attack and to punish those who are aggressive towards or deceive others.

Define Equality of Right

Everyone must abide by the same rules that the state enforces with impartiality.

Define Consent of the Governed

The government's legitimacy and power come from the people and may be change by them

Define the Parliamentary system

Is a form of democracy in which the party that wins a majority of seats in the parliament controls the excutive branch.

Executive Branch

Includes the monarch, governor general, prime minister, and cabinet, legislative and judiciary. The prime minister and cabinet manage the federal government's daily

What's the connection between the legislative and executive branches?

The legislative and executive branches have a tight bond. The prime minister and cabinet members are typically appointed by the legislative branch. The House of Commons, for example. As a result, the prime minister not only leads the government but also represents their own constituency in the House of Commons.

Legislative Branch

The monach (represented by the governor general), the House of Commons, and the Senate have the authority to make, amend, or repeal federal legislation. The House of Commons, with elected members, is the most powerful branch of government.

reasons to keep the senate

Regional Representation: Regardless of population size, each province and territory has equal representation. This can help smaller provinces and territories protect their interests.

Check on Hasty Legislation: The Senate can server a sober second thought offering a review of legislation passed by the house of Commons. This helps avoid hasty decision-making.

Expertise and Experience: Some senators bring valuable experise and experience to the legislative process, which can enhance the quality of decision-making

Keep Senate Pt 2

Check for Hasty Legislation: The Senate can provide a sober second thought by reviewing legislation passed by the House of Commons. This helps to avoid rash decisions.

Keep Senate Pt 3

Expertise and Experience: Some senators contribute substantial experience and expertise to the legislative process, which can improve decision-making quality.

Reasons to Reform the Senate

Unelected nature: Senators are not elected by the people, which can be seen as undemocratic. Reform could involve making the senate more accountable to the public

Partisanship: The senate can be seen as too partisan, with appointments often reflecting political patronage. Reform could involve a more independant selection process.

Limited Powers: The senate's powers are more limited than those of house of commons, which can lead to questions about its effectiveness. Reform could clarify its role and responsibilities.

Reform Senate pt 2

Partisanship: The Senate has a reputation for being too politicised, with nominations frequently reflecting political favours. A more independent selection method could be part of the reform.

Reform Senate pt 3

Powers are more constrained in the Senate than in the House of Commons, which raises concerns about its efficacy. Its position and responsibilities could be clarified through reform.

Political Patronage Definition

Political patronage occurs when those in positions of authority give others jobs, rewards, or favours based on their allegiance or support rather than their credentials or merit.

My position on the senate

Keeping the Senate in its current form is better than reforming it because it ensures that smaller provinces and territories have a strong voice in national decision-making, prevents hasty legislation, and allows for the contribution of valuable expertise and experience in the legislative process, ultimately maintaining a balanced and effective system of governance.

What is responsible government

In layman's words, "responsible government" refers to a system in which the government is accountable to and must answer to elected representatives (often a parliament or congress) for its acts and choices. It indicates that elected officials have the authority to make and influence government decisions, and that the government can be overthrown if it loses the support of the elected representatives. This system assures that the government responds to the wishes of the people as expressed by their elected representatives.

Pluralism definition

A pluralistic society reflects respect and value for the individual collective opinions and identities of all people and embeds a diverse language

Collective rights definition

Collective rights are the legal rights granted to specific groups under the charter and constitution. However, the phrase can also be used more broadly to refer to human rights and groups of people.

Socialism definition

socialism is the belief that the government or society as a whole should control and distribute resources in order to ensure that everyone has a fair share and equal access to things like education, healthcare, and prosperity. It attempts to decrease economic inequality and meet all citizens' basic requirements.

Multiculturalism definition

Multiculturalism is the belief that people from many cultures and origins may coexist in one society while appreciating and celebrating their differences. It encourages diversity, tolerance, and the belief that all cultures have worth and should be embraced.

Constitution

is a set of fundamental rules and principles that establish the framework for governing a country or organization. It outlines the structure of government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the distribution of power.