Social Liberal Democracy Unit

Parliamentary democracy

the upper house Senate and the lower house (House of Commons)

House of Commons

The primary legislative body in Canada's parliamentary system.

Senate

a "chamber of second sober thought" it reviews legislation that is passed in the house of commons and is meant to give an unbiased look at the legislation. Members are selected by the sitting PM on a regional basis. The lack of accountabliity to the public is said to ensure an unbiased view of what is good for Canadians. There are 105 senators.

Constituency

The basic organizational unit within a political region. Each riding is formed on the basis of "representation by population" (there are 301 seats in the House of Commons -and each seat is filled by an elected representative from a _______).

Supreme court

Canada's final court of appeal, the last judicial resort for all litigants, whether individuals or governments. Its jurisdiction embraces both the civil law of the province of Quebec and the common law of the other provinces and territories. It is composed of 9 judges that are chosen by the PM.

Caucus

The elected members of a political party. In private meetings of a _______ there is free debate. In public, members of caucus are expected to agree with the party position (caucus solidarity).

Cabinet solidarity

The Parliamentary requirement that all members of the cabinet publicly agree with an executive decision.

Federalism

the idea of a federal organization of more or less self-governing units

Legitimacy

the belief that a rule, institution, or leader has the right to government

Single member plurality

The candidate who gets more votes than any of the other candidate will be declared the winning candidate (a.k.a past the post)

coalition

A government composed of two or more political parties. Occurs in multi-party system when no single party is in a position to form the government without the support of another party.

Franchise (secret ballot)

is the right to vote gained through democratic process.

Direct democracy

A democratic system in which all citizens participate directly in the decision making process.

Plebiscite

The use of a direct vote of to determine the will of the people on a local issue (government lead)

Referendum

A direct vote by the people on an issue of some significance. (citizen lead)

Citizenship and Pluralism

Pluralist societies foster the equal participation of all citizens in the political, economic and socio-cultural life of the nation

Dissent

One who disagrees with and opposes government policy

Proportional Representation

Alternative form of choosing representatives in a democracy. Representatives are chosen on the basis of popular vote in a constituency. The system results in a legislative body that is more representative of the will of the people.

Lobbying

to seek influence on an issue

Mill

actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness (common good/utilitarian)

Locke

refuted the theory of the divine right of kings and argued that all persons are endowed with natural rights to life, liberty, and property

Rousseau

He believed that if children are allowed to develop naturally without constraints imposed on them by society they will develop towards their fullest potential, both educationally and morally

Montesquieu

best form of government was one in which the legislative, executive, and judicial powers were separate and kept each other in check to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful

Smith

pushed for economic freedom within the market and economic decisions would be based on supply and demand

Burke

advocated for national tradition

Hobbes

the right of the individual; the natural equality of all men

Democratic deficit

democratic organizations or institutions (particularly governments) fall short of fulfilling the principles of democracy in their practices

Apathy

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Boycott

withdraw from commercial or social relations with as a punishment or protest.