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