7: Systems of Government

Question 1

Differentiate a type of government and a system of government. How do they relate to power?

Answer 1

Type: regime; how power is concentrated (republic, monarchy, etc.).

System: levels of government; how power is divided.

Question 2

What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?

Answer 2

Absolute: monarch has final say.

Constitutional: some powers transferred to parliament (i.e., the people).

Question 3

In Canada, the Crown’s role is primarily what? Why?

Answer 3

Constitutional.

To protect Canadian democracy.

Question 4

How is power concentrated within authoritarian regimes?

Answer 4

Concentrated on leader(s), typically unelected. Exercise exclusive, unaccountable, arbitrary power.

Question 5

One difference between authoritarian regimes and totalitarian regimes rests in institutions. Explain.

Answer 5

In authoritarian regimes, some social and economic institutions exist outside government control.

Question 6

Define a totalitarian regime and when they typically occur.

Answer 6

State recognizes no limits to authority, regulates every aspect of public and private life.

When authoritarianism and ideology mix pervasively.

Question 7

List five reasons for the possible appeal of totalitarianism.

Answer 7

Easy to control the populace.

Sense of unity.

Sense of bettering the state.

Security due to predictability.

More expeditious in wartime.

Question 8

Describe how power is concentrated in representative governments.

Answer 8

Officials selected/elected and held accountable in periodic elections; powers are separated to avoid perils of concentration.

Question 9

Britain, Israel, France, and Ireland have UNITARY constitutions. Describe what these are, and why nations may find them suitable.

Answer 9

Power concentrated within central government.

Suited for smaller countries with limited cultural, ethnic, linguistic diversity.

Question 10

Describe the difference between unitary, confederal, and federal states.

Answer 10

Unitary: central government —> state.

Confederal: central government state.

Question 11

What are five positive connotations of federalism?

Answer 11

Retaining individuality in collectivity.

Values of community.

Shared and self-government.

Joining together for a purpose.

Suggests unity in diversity.

Question 12

In Canada, what makes up the executive, legislative, and judicial branches?

Answer 12

Executive: Queen, Prime Minister, Cabinet.

Legislative: House of Commons and Senate (bicameral).

Judicial: at federal level, Supreme Court.

Question 13

Describe horizontal relations of government as they apply to Canada. What does the “fusion of powers” in Canada refer to?

Answer 13

Legislative: law-making branch.

Executive: law-implementing branch.

Judicial: law interpretation (and adjudication) branch.

Prime Minister and Cabinet need majority support of House.

Question 14

What is the difference between presidential systems and Westminster parliamentary systems?

Answer 14

Presidential: executive branch and power separate from the legislature.

Westminster: executive branch separate, but powers are fused.

Question 15

What does legislative power refer to?

Answer 15

Power to make laws and frame public policies.

Question 16

What does judicial power refer to?

Answer 16

Power to interpret laws, determine meaning, settle jurisdictional or constitutional interpretation disputes.

Question 17

How do monarchies and republics differ in terms of flexibility?

Answer 17

Monarchies allow flexible government response; republics prevent government interference.

Question 18

In Canada, who is the formal executive, the political executive, and the permanent executive?

Answer 18

Formal: Crown (constitutional custodian).

Political: The Cabinet (Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers).

Permanent: The Bureaucracy.

Question 19

List three purposes of the legislative branch in Canada.

Answer 19

Represents the people, accountable to them through periodic elections.

Debate public issues and provide forum for competition between political parties.

Make laws, approve government spending.

Question 20

The House of Commons is symbolically and practically important, as it is the _____ between _____ and the government.

Answer 20

Contact point; citizens.

Question 21

With regard to how power is earned, what is the difference between the House and the Senate?

Answer 21

House is democratically elected.

Senate is appointed by Crown, on the advice of Prime Minister.

Question 22

Why is the Senate appointed and not elected?

Answer 22

Prevents ‘tyranny of the majority’ for the sake of national unity.

Question 23

Largely, the _____ initiates legislation; the Prime Minister and Cabinet set _____.

Answer 23

Government.

Priorities.

Question 24

Any legislation in Canada must be approved by whom?

Answer 24

Both chambers (House and Senate) and the Crown.

Question 25

List four purposes of the Senate.

Answer 25

“Check.”

Revising chamber: trusted to act as non-ideological chamber that will isolate flaws in legislation.

Regional representation: vehicle for regional rep. at federal level.

Investigative chamber: studies issues facing country (e.g., health care, national defence).

Question 26

Within the Senate, who does the appointing?

Answer 26

Governor General.

Question 27

In Canada, how is external bias checked in the judicial branch?

Answer 27

Judicial independence: protected by ‘tenure’ and ‘restrictions on criticisms.’

Question 28

In the U.S., the Supreme Court is appointed by the President and the Senate. What is a problem with this? Likewise, what is a critique of elected judges?

Answer 28

Party affiliation, ideological disposition.

Partisanship and neutrality risks; popularity vs. knowledge.