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POLI 359 Feb. 11

Totalitarian Regimes

  • Defined as regimes that deny civil rights and do not conduct free and fair elections.

  • Employ extensive methods of manipulation and governance, often surpassing other authoritarian regimes.

  • Utilize secret police, spies, and informants to monitor and report on suspected dissidents.

  • Can take various forms including theocracies and personalistic dictatorships.

Personalistic Dictatorship

  • Characterized by the concentration of power in a single individual.

  • Rulers may argue that democracy is not suitable for all nations.

  • Related concept: bureaucratic authoritarianism, which entails strict governance without public consent.

Introduction to Constitutional Design

  • Discussion shifts to constitutional design and political frameworks, particularly in Canada.

  • Mention of social contract theory, emphasizing rights, freedoms, and community protection.

  • Constitution encompasses both written and unwritten rules; it's not a single document but a complex set of historical compromises.

The Role of the Constitution in Canada

  • Canada’s constitution is regarded as the supreme law governing the nation, linking to the sovereignty over land and people.

  • The concept of sovereignty is rooted in historical contexts, exemplified by British colonial practices.

  • Difficulties in amending the constitution reflect the deep interconnections of its components, historically shaped by trade-offs during its design.

Historical Context

  • Explores the evolution of constitutions across nations (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada).

  • Highlights that the American Constitution established a unified nation from multiple colonies, making provisions for future generations.

  • Discusses the racial contract and the implications of property rights in establishing early governance.

Indigenous Peoples and Treaties

  • Indigenous sovereignty and rights are acknowledged historically, especially through treaties such as the 1763 Royal Proclamation.

  • Treaty agreements with indigenous peoples have been historically violated despite recognizing their rights.

  • The implications include the establishment of Indian residential schools, aimed at cultural assimilation, which forcibly took children from their communities.

Consequences of Violations

  • Exploration of the resulting negative impact on indigenous cultures and identities resulting from broken treaty agreements.

  • Recognition of the dual