key concepts Flashcards
What is political science?
Political science is a field of study that focuses on key questions regarding resource allocation, trade-offs, and policy decisions.
How are resources allocated?
Governments must decide how to distribute resources like money, land, healthcare, and education.
What trade-offs are involved in resource allocation?
Decisions involve sacrifices due to limited resources, such as investing in infrastructure at the cost of social services.
What is the Mary River Mine example?
The Mary River mine in Nunavut presents a political decision on whether to expand the mine, weighing economic benefits against environmental and social impacts.
What are arguments for the expansion of the Mary River mine?
Arguments for expansion include economic benefits, job creation, and increased revenue.
What are arguments against the expansion of the Mary River mine?
Arguments against expansion include environmental impact, effects on Indigenous communities, and sustainability concerns.
What is the trade policy scenario regarding surtax?
If the U.S. imposes a tax on Canadian products, Canada must decide whether to retaliate or cooperate.
What are the political considerations in the trade policy scenario?
Retaliation could protect Canadian industries but may lead to a trade war; cooperation might preserve relations but harm local businesses.
What strategies do governments use to achieve political objectives?
Governments implement policies to meet goals like reducing crime, improving healthcare, or strengthening the economy.
What is an example of a strategy to reduce crime?
To lower crime rates, the government could invest in more police officers or focus on social programs.
What is the relationship between policy effectiveness and public opinion?
Some effective policies may be unpopular, while some popular policies may be ineffective, requiring a balance between effectiveness and public opinion.
What is Québec’s language policy for CÉGEP students?
Québec requires students in English-language colleges to take more French courses to strengthen the French language.
What are the key questions regarding Québec’s language policy?
Will this policy be successful in increasing bilingualism, or will it not significantly change language use?
What are some policy ideas that people might support or oppose?
Examples include legalizing all drugs, free public transit, taxing religious organizations, higher taxes on sugary foods, and abolishing the monarchy.
What priorities do people have for the Canadian Arctic?
Priorities include economic growth, environmental protection, defending Arctic borders, and Indigenous self-determination.
Who makes political decisions?
Political decisions can be made at federal, provincial, or municipal levels.
What is power in a political context?
Power is the ability to influence or control others and exists in forms such as hard power and soft power.
What is the difference between hard power and soft power?
Hard power uses force or laws to impose control, while soft power uses persuasion and cultural influence.
What is legitimacy in politics?
Legitimacy refers to whether political actions or decisions are accepted by society as legal and morally acceptable.
What are the types of legitimate power?
Types of legitimate power include rational-legal authority, traditional authority, and charismatic authority.
What is the difference between majority and plurality in elections?
Majority rule requires more than 50% of votes, while plurality rule goes to the candidate with the most votes, even if less than 50%.
What is a qualified majority?
A qualified majority requires more than a simple majority, such as 60% or 67% approval for certain decisions.
What does this presentation cover?
The presentation provides an overview of political science, focusing on resource allocation, policy creation, political thinking, decision-making, power, and legitimacy.
