government Flashcards
Autocracy
Government in which one person possesses unlimited power
Define monarchy
Country is ruled by a monarch until their death and then passed down between family
Ex: king or queen
Two types of autocracies
Dictatorship
Monarchy
Define dictatorship
One person or small group possesses absolute power without constitutional limitations.
Ex: Hitler during ww2
Oligarchy
A small group hold most or all power
- ruled by rich, famous, religious or military control
- often cruel and unreasonable - must do what they say
Anarchy
Absence of gov authority
Seek society with without any political powers
Democracy
People have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation, or to choose governing officials to do so.
Or rule by the people
What type of government does Canada have
Democratic
What is Constitutional monarchy
Monarch (king/queen) is our head of state - appoints Governor General, signature is required on laws
Represented by Governor General
Has some power - largely a ceremonial since 1931
Currently queen Elizabeth the 2nd
Federal system
- sharing power between levels of government
- federal has most power - decisions affects all Canadians
- Provincial has some power - decisions only affects people in that province
- municipal has least power - decisions only affects that municipality
Party system
- group of people with common beliefs, ideas and plans for the best way to govern
- have platforms they promote - ideas and promises
- if enough seats won, party forms government
- provides support for running candidates
Representative democracy
We elect representatives to speak on our behalf to make major decisions
Head of state
- makes sure democratic government is always in place
Prime minister
- election held every 4 years
- leads liberal party
- leader of nation
First reading
Printed copies of a bill are made available for the first time. No debate in house of commons
