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Fall 2020, Introduction to Politics > Democratic vs non-democratic systems > Flashcards

Democratic vs non-democratic systems Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three negative points of democracy, name the person who said each statement?

A

1- few are fit to have a say (Aristotle)
2- Ordinary people could abuse power and create a Tyranny of the Majority (De Tocqueville)
3- Democracy is slow, impracticle and costly

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2
Q

What did Winston Churchill say about democracy?

A

That it is a bad system, but the best one so far.

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3
Q

Name the four types of democracy. 4

A

1- Liberal/representative/institutional democracy
2- direct democracy
3-deliberative democracy
4-Plebicitary democracy

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4
Q

Explain the Liberal/representative/institutional democracy. Give an example of where it was/is seen

A

high level of individual freedom.

elect representatives so they make the decisions

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5
Q

Explain the direct democracy. Give an example of where it was/is seen

A

people would discuss until there’s a consensus. ancient Greece

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6
Q

Explain the Deliberative democracy. Give an example of where it was/is seen.

A

Decisions made through discussions and consultation with citizens. People went around Quebec and asked how for their opinions. Then made a report.

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7
Q

Explain the plebicitary democracy. Give an example of where it was/is seen.

A

Referendum, petitions, recall elections. We want a majority of people to say yes, or no.
Referendum 1995 or 1980 for Quebec Sovereignty

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8
Q

What are the 4 things needed to have meaningful elections?

A

1- universal suffrage: every adult citizens is allowed to vote
2- Information: voters should have access all the information to make a decisions and candidate should be able to give all the information they want about their campaign.
3- Independant comissions: vote count shouldn’t be done by the state.
4. Regular votes: Often opportunity to elect representatives. maximum 4 years in Canada

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9
Q

Who counts the votes in Canada?

A

Election Canada

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10
Q

How many seats are there in Canada’s house of commons?

A

338

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11
Q

What are the five things necessary to have a democratic governement?

A

1- Political Pluralism: diversity of parties and ideas
2- Rules of law: rulers are equally subject to the law as citizens.
3- Accountability: To citizens/civil society (vertical) but also between govenrment officilas (horizontal)
4- Transparency: governement actions are visible
5- Popular participation: people are encourgaed to participate in politia life and governing decisions.

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12
Q

What is the limit to the transparency in governement?

A

When it could disrupt the security or privacy of people

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13
Q

Name the 6 non-democratic systems.

A 
Totalitarian
Absolute monarchies
personal dictatorship
party dictatorship
military dictatorship
theocratic dictatorship
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14
Q

Explain what is an absolute monarchy.

A

absolute power to monarch
no political parties
power inside family line

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15
Q

Explain what is personal dictatorship. example

A

when someone rules alone in the interests of themselves Syria

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16
Q

Explain what is a party dictatorship.

A

One single party all the time.

communist party in China

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17
Q

Explain what is a MIlitary Dictatorship. ExampleASK ANNABEL

A

Military takes over and provides a ruler

Mali

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18
Q

Explain what is a theocratic dictatorship. Example

A

Religion chooses the ruler.

Iran

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19
Q

Why would some states make a transition toward a democracy?

A

easier to get along in between democracies.

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20
Q

What is the difference between a transition and a consolidation when it comes to becoming a democracy?

A

a consolidation is when the system is solidely implanted.

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21
Q

What are the 3 pre-condition to democracy in the modernation theory

A

culture
education
wealth of the middle class (not resources)

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22
Q

What are the two ways for a state to become democratic?

A

1- Pacted democracy:
old vs new elites agree on certain rules and a mutual garantee. Example: Aphganistan
2- Grassroots democratic movement:
civil society rises up and takes down authoritarian regime to replace with democratic one.

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23
Q

What is a constitution?

A

Legal document that establishes the fundamental rules and principles of a country.

24
Q

Explain the concept of devolution

A

When the central government in a unitary system gives some legislative power to the regions.

25
Q

What is the role of the constitution on the cultural level?

A

tied to political culture, reflection on values, ideas, attitues, customs, traditions and behaviours.

26
Q

What are the 4 situation in which a constitution can be created?

A

1- revolution
2- decolonization
3- aftermath of war
4- secession

27
Q

Explain what it means for a constitution to be created after a revolution. Example.

A

When there is a political or social change.
American revolution 1774
french revolution 1789
bolshevic 1917

28
Q

Explain what it means for a constitution to be created throught decolonization. Example.

A

After sovereignty, the new state will need a constitution.

Canada and britain - 1945 many states

29
Q

Explain what it means for a constitution to be created after a war. Example.

A

defeat of a state in war leads to loss of cedit and relevance to old constitution. Now it reflects new balance of power.
Japan and Gernmany after WW2

30
Q

Explain what it means for a constitution to be created after a secession. Example.

A

Breakup of a state following the seperation of a region.

Czechoslovakia 1993 - became slovakia and czech republic

31
Q

What are the the 2 type of non-constitual constitution?

A

Nominal and facade

32
Q

What are he characteristics of a nominal constitution? example

A

it describes and legitimizes but doesnt limit.

most totalitarian regimes - north korea

33
Q

What are the characteristics of a facade constitution? example.

A

It is just for show: the provisions are ignored. When the constitution isn’t convenient just change it (authoritarian).
Chile.
Latin america 10 constituions on average

34
Q

What are the 6 main functions of constitutions? Canada

A

1- articulating main values
2- defines the structures of major government institutions, limits of legislative, executive and judicial authority
3- divides power between levels of government (provincial and federal)
4- Regulates relations between state and citizens
5- rights and limits of Canadian citizens.
6- a framework for conflict

35
Q

Give examples of the 4th point: Regulates relations between state and citizens

A

negative and positive rights

which court does what

36
Q

What are the two minor functions and pwovisions of the constitution?

A

serve as a political symbol

specifies a method to ammend the consititution.

37
Q

What are the two forms of constitutions and explain both?

A

written/codified: difficult to ammend, court must interpret it. It is physical and rigid. American constitution
Unwritten/uncodified: collection of court rulings,, statutes, and unwritten political practices. Easily ratified and flexible.

38
Q

What are the 3 parts of the canadian constitution that are wirtten/codified?

A

1- constitution act of 1867
2- constitution act of 1982
3- canadian charte of rights and freedoms

39
Q

Give examples of parts of the canadian constitution that are unwritten/uncodified?

A 
Legislative statutes (laws passed) 
orders-in-council (part of formal constitution) 
consitutional conventions (customs)
40
Q

Name the 7 rights we learnt of the canadian charte of rights and freedom. Give a quick explanation of each>

A

1- fundamental freedom: human rights such as assemble
2- democratic rights: vote, run for representative
3- mobility rights: travel, go anywhere in Canada
4- Legal rights: legal representation, fair trial, silence
5- equality rights: minority representation
6- laguage rights: request being served in french or english - loi 101
7- multiculturalism

41
Q

How could Canada ammend the constitution before 1982?

A

Had to go thorught whole process in here, then whole process in England

42
Q

After 1982, how could Canada ammend the constitution? How many ways and explain one?

A

5 ways.
7:50
approval house of commons, senate and legislative assembly of at least 7 provinces forming minimum 50% of the population of Canada.

43
Q

What is the reasonable limit clause?

A

It is a clause in the constitution that allows to limit the rights and freedom of individuals if they are demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. As long as respects the nonwithstanding clause.

44
Q

What is the nonwithstanding clause?

A

allows to override some rights and freedoms in the consititution, if it isnt in section 2 or 7-15. Must be renewed every five years

45
Q

What is the concept of judicial review?

A

courts interepret the legal documents and decide if laws violate constitution.

46
Q

Why should courts be impartial and separated from the government?

A

because it is the most important branch of the system. It intereprets and decides if laws are constitutial.

47
Q

What are the 3 types of law? Explain those we have in Canada. Those we have in Quebec.

A 
Common law. 
Civil law. 
Sharia Law (based on the quran) 
Canada: common law. 
Quebec: mix common and civil.
48
Q

Explain what is a unitary system of government.

A

centralized governement. Central delegates to other levels - making it superior.

49
Q

Explain what is a federal system of government.

A

constitution decides who has authority. Central and regional share and divide the power.

50
Q

Explain what is a confederal system of government.

A

central only have power because regional let them. Can take it back anytime.

51
Q

Positive point of a unitary system of government: 5

A 
1- central more likely to work for common good
2- more attention on national issues
3- held accountable by citizens 
4- same level of services everywhere
5- no conflict w/regions = efficient
52
Q

Positive point of federal system of government:4

A

1- more sensitive needs of population
2- everyone is included, even smaller regions
3- recognition of diversity between regions
4- limits concentration of power

53
Q

give an example of a confederal system of governement?

A

European nation

54
Q

give an example of a federal system of governement?

A

Canada, brazil, russia, autralia

55
Q

give an example of a unitary system of governement?

A

france, uk, japan

56
Q

What is a constitutional government?

A

A governement that acts in accordance to established fundamental rules and principles.

57
Q

Name the two contries that do not have a written constitution.

A

United-Kingdom and New-Zeeland

Fall 2020, Introduction to Politics (5 decks)

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