Citizens Effecting Change Flashcards
democracy
a system of government in which people freely choose in elections who will govern them; the principles and ideals of such a government, including free speech and the rule of law
civil servant
someone who works for a government department
lobbyist
a person hired to represent the interests of a pressure group by influencing policy decision makers in the groups favour
bureaucrats
government officials and administrators
public service
the government administration
spin doctors
people who publicize in a positive way the words and actions of politicians
civil disobedience
the act of intentionally breaking the law while protesting laws one considers unjust
Examples of civil disobedience
Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr.,Nelson Madela.
apartheid
an official policy of racial segregation involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against non-whites
What are the 3 principles of civil disobedience?
- Should not involve violence
- directed against laws that are seriously harmful
- requires taking responsibility for one’s actions, willingness to face punishment shows the strength of ones beliefs
ideology
political and social principles or beliefs
How is Canada governed?
political parties
direct democracy
a system in which citizens vote directly on every issue
Why is direct democracy impractical?
because of large populations
representative democracies
a system in which citizens elect a politician who then makes decisions for them
Political philosophies under democracy
Socialism, Liberalism, and Conservatism
socialism
a political and economic system in which the means of production and distribution in a country are publicly owned and controlled for the benefit of all members of a society
liberalism
a political philosophy supporting individual freedoms and governmental protection of civil liberties
Conservatism
a political philosophy supporting traditional values and institutions and opposing sudden change
authoritarian
a form of government in which one individual or small group holds all the power and directs the lives of citizens
Totalitarianism governments:
Communism and Fascism
bourgeoisie
the ruling or middle class
proletariat
the workers or lowest class
communism
a social and economic ideology that believes property, production, and distribution of goods and services should be owned by the public and that the labour force should be organized for the benefit of all members of society.
How did communist states maintain their power?
through propaganda, secret police, and government control of its citizens
fascism
an authoritarian system of government that exercises complete power, political opposition or individual freedom is forbidden
Political Ideology (list political parties)
Left Wing: Communism
Left-Center: Socialism, Liberalism
Center-Right: Conservatism
Right Wing: Fascism
Left Wing
- Supports change to improve the welfare of all citizens
- Government should play a larger role in peoples lives, especially in providing social services
- law and order are important to protect the rights of all citizens fairly and equally
Center
- Tradition is important, but change must be supported if most people want it
- government should play a role only when it improves the lives of citizens
- law and order are important to encourage and protect the rights of individuals
Right Wing
- Tradition is important, change should be treated with caution
- government should play a small role in a capitalist system. Private businesses should ensure the needs of citizens are met
- law and order are important to protect society and its traditions
Party platform
a list of priorities and a plan for governing published by a political party
libertarianism
a political ideology that supports maximum individual freedom and minimal government involvement in the lives of its citizens
patronage
a favour, often a government position, given in return for political support
populism
a political movement that advocates the interests of ordinary people, important in BC
Parties to the right of center want..
less government involvement and lower taxes
Parties to the left of center want
more government involvement and think that taxes should pay for needed services
ad valorem tax
a tax that is proportional to the value of goods
excise tax
an added tax on certain goods produced or sold in the country, for example alcohol, gas
surplus
the amount of money remaining when a government takes in more than it spends
deficit
the amount of money a government owes when it takes in less money than it spends
cabinet solidarity
the custom that Cabinet members must not show disagreement with government policies
How are members of cabinet chosen?
by the prime minister
Order-in-Council
an order signed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minster and Cabinet; allows laws and regulations to be passed without a parliamentary vote
How does a bill become a law?
- First Reading: bill in introduced to House of Commons
- Second Reading: the principle and purpose of the bill is debated
- Committee Stage: examines the bill; may make amendments
- Report Stage: reviews amendments to the bill
- Third Reading: final opportunity to review and amend the bill
- Senate: bill is sent to senate (follows similar process)
- Royal Assent: Governor General gives bill royal assent (becomes law)
royal assent
the final stage a bill must complete before it is passed into law in which the Governor General signs or grants approval for the bill
House of Commons
the first legislative body of parliament whose members are elected
Party whip
a member of the legislature assigned the specific role of ensuring all members of his or her party are present in the legislature to support party interests
free vote
members voting according to their own conscience
prorogue Parliament
to suspend Parliament for a period of time upon the prime ministers request to the Governor General
pollsters
people who conduct public opinion polls
enumeration
process of compiling a list of voters
first past the post
an electoral system in which the candidate who has more votes than any other candidate wins
single transferable vote
an electoral system in which parties gain seats by the proportion of votes won in large electoral districts. proposal was rejected
