Lecture Flashcards

1
Q

Laswell’s definition of Politics

A

Describes the distribution of resources: What, When, and Where.

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2
Q

Laver’s definition of Politics

A

Community interactions create conflict and cooperation.

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3
Q

Johnston’s definition of politics

A

decision making that is binding to all citizens under control of the state, affecting relationships between those who implement laws and those who must abide by them.

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4
Q

Definition of Power(Politically)

A

Its distribution is determined by politics: What Where and how it can be used is dictated by politics.

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5
Q

Aristotles definition of politics

A

Politics is the art of living together well.

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6
Q

By reading the description of the following four political science articles identify which field of political science they belong to: political philosophy, Canadian politics, comparative politics, or international relations.

  1. ) An examination of the role of the United Nations in the war in Iraq.
  2. ) A study of nationalism in the right-wing political parties in Ireland, South Africa, and Japan.
  3. ) An exploration of the changes made to unemployment insurance by the Brian Mulroney Progressive Conservative government from 1984 to 1993.
  4. ) A study on the relationship between property and democracy in the writings of Aristotle, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill.
A
  1. ) International Relations
  2. ) Comparative Politics
  3. ) Canadian Politics
  4. ) Political Philosophy
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7
Q

Definition of Power

A

Most power in modern society is consensual because the citizens that inhabit the society consent to the power of leadership.

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8
Q

Definition of Nation

A

A group of people with common characteristics

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9
Q

Definition of State

A

A clearly defined territory, power, defined citizenship, institution.

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10
Q

Definition of Nation State

A

A state where only one Nation is present (rare in modern society)

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11
Q

Definition of Legitimacy

A

Makes people consent without the need for power or force

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12
Q

By reading the description of the following four political science articles identify which methodological approach to political science that they take: political philosophy, behaviouralism, institutionalism, or political economy. At the same time, try to identify which field of political science that these topics belong to.

  1. ) An exploration of the effect of opinions on gun control in voting for the Conservative Party in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections using opinion polls from the Canadian Election Study.
  2. ) A study of how the American and Mexican Senates have constrained the power of the President in those countries during the 20th century.
  3. ) An examination of how differing understandings of equality have affected the social assistance policies of Saskatchewan governments using the writings of Karl Marx and Edmund Burke.
  4. ) A study of how rising unemployment rates in Europe have affected trade liberalization efforts at the WTO since its creation in 1994.
A
  1. ) Behaviouralism
  2. ) Institutionalism
  3. ) Political Philosophy
  4. ) Political Economy
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13
Q

Definition of Justice

A

Political outcome that is seen as fair

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14
Q

5 Key Components of a liberal democracy?

A

Rights and Freedoms, Separation of Church and State, Constitutionalism, Rule of Law, and Representative and Responsible Government

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15
Q

Constitutionalism?

A

Written document that provides the public with a way to limit the power of the government.

Without

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16
Q

rule of law?

A

due process, not unlimited power.

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17
Q

Representative government Vs. Responsible?

A

Representative: You as a citizen gives up your power and chooses to delegate it to a representative.

Responsible: the executive of the government must maintain the confidence of the legislature(MP’s) If not it falls. Need to get 50+1% in confidence vote. No responsible gov in the United States.

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18
Q

Political Philosophy? Pg.33-34

A

Study of political Ideas

  • Read literature written by political philosophers.
  • Marx, Aristotle, Hobbs, Rousseau, etc.
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19
Q

Canon of political Philosophy?

A

A group of people from the past who have some interesting beliefs which may counter each other on what certain intrinsic pieces of politics are and how we should see them and/or follow them.

These certain thinkers were chosen because they were so original, ahead of the game in certain parts of politics.

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20
Q

By yourself, match each of these quotes from a great thinker with one of the ‘Great Questions of Political Philosophy’. Remember the four ‘Great Questions of Political Philosophy’ are as follows: What is human nature? Are the interests of the individual or the community more important? How much should government interfere in the economy and the private lives of citizens? What is the best form of government?

  1. ) “the Supreme Power cannot take from any man any part of his property without his own consent: for the preservation of property being the end of government, and that which for men enter into society” Chapter XI, Second Treatise of Government, John Locke, 1689.
  2. ) “‘Unless’ I said, ‘the philosophers rule as kings or those now called kings and chiefs genuinely and adequately philosophize, and political power and philosophy coincide in the same place…in no other city would there be public or private happiness”, Book V, The Republic, Plato, 360 B.C.
  3. ) “Each of us places his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will; and as one we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole.” Chapter VI, On the Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1762.
  4. ) “Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without common power to keep them in awe, they are in that condition which is called war, and such a war as is of every man against every man.” Chapter XIII, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, 1651.
A
  1. interfere in economy and the private lives of citizens.
  2. The best form of government.
  3. Interests of the individual or the community.
  4. What is human Nature.
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21
Q

Ideology from Johnston(281)?

A

“a more or less consistent set of beliefs about the nature of the society in which individuals live and about the proper role of the state in establishing or maintaining that society.”

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22
Q

3 components of ideologies?

A
  1. Idealization(what is a good society)
  2. Diagnosis(critique of existing society)
  3. Prescription(the way to transform existing society in the good society)
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23
Q

Political Philosophy and Ideology

A

Ideologies are often associated with certain thinkers who form the canon of political theory.

Ideology is much simpler, accessible and less systematic.

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24
Q

Left Vs. Right =

A

Authoritarian vs. Libertarian

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25
Q

19th Century Classical Liberalism

A
  • Individualism
  • Constitutional Limits on the power of the state
  • representative and responsible government
  • Laissez-Faire and Minimal State
  • Tolerance
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26
Q

20th century reform liberalism

A

-free market can create wealth inequalities
-Limited welfare state
-extension of rights and tolerance to all citizens
-remains suspicious of too much state intervention in the economy
-Individuals became more then rich white men
Ex: Pres Roosevelt and PM Mackenzie King

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27
Q

19th Century Toryism (conservatism)

A
  • Support for traditional feudal institutions like the monarchy
  • Hierarchal, organic community in which poverty and inequality are natural and just
  • Rich have a responsibility to aid the poor through charity
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28
Q

20th century conservatism

A
  • Defenders of free market
  • fiscal responsibility
  • small government and limited welfare
  • suspicious of the expansions of group rights( women and ethnic minorities)and immigration
  • Support traditional family and Christian religious values
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29
Q

19th Century Socialism

A
  • Equality of condition
  • Class inequality is an inherent structure of the market economy
  • Abolition of private property and the end of capitalism
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30
Q

20th Century social democracy

A
  • Reform not overthrow of capitalism
  • Generous welfare states
  • nationalization of key industries
  • progressive taxation
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31
Q

In groups of five discuss the following situations. Are public institutions going too far in accommodating ethnic diversity in these cases? Or are public institutions not going far enough?

  1. ) In 1971, the Multicultural Policy of Canada was adopted by the federal government which recognized the multicultural heritage of Canada and provided financing for projects by organizations representing ethnic groups to promote this ideal.
  2. ) In 1982, the Government of Canada recognized Canada’s multicultural heritage in the Constitution and adopted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms whose Section 15 states that every individual “has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.”
  3. ) In 1990, in reaction to the case of Baltej Singh Dhillon, the RCMP decided to allow Sikh mounties to wear turbans on duty. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities passed a motion condemning the move because it ‘ruined’ a Canadian symbol.
  4. ) Noticing that its workforce contained a higher percentage of white people than the Canadian population, the Government of Canada passed the Employment Equity Act in 1996. The Act requires federal government departments and agencies to measure the number visible minorities they employee and to set a “goal” to raise that number to the Canadian average. The Act has been criticized for not setting firm quotas of hiring visible minorities that government departments and agencies were forced to meet. On the other hand, the Act has been criticized as reverse discrimination.
  5. ) The kirpan is a ceremonial dagger that must be worn by Sikhs at all times. In 2001, Gurbaj Singh’s cloth-wrapped kirpan came loose from around his waist and fell to the ground at Ste-Catherine-Laboure elementary school in LaSalle, Quebec. He was order not to wear the kirpan any longer at school because the school direction thought that it posed a danger to other students. In 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Sikh students can carry ceremonial daggers to class if the blade is locked in the sheaf and it is sewn to the inside of clothing.
  6. ) In January 2007, the small town of Hérouxville, Québec, which has no immigrants among its population, decided to pass a code of conduct in the case of any immigrants moving to the town. The code of conduct prohibited wearing a veil in public except for Halloween and banned the “stoning or burning women alive in public places, burning women with acid, infibulating women, or treating women as slaves.” The code also re-affirmed the town’s resident’s right to eat meat by stating that “Regardless of the shape of the animal or its hooves, regardless of the shape of the fish, be it covered by scales or a shell, we will enjoy eating its flesh if it is prepared properly and presented tastefully.” The code of conduct created an international news story and prompted the Québec government to appoint a commission on ‘reasonable accommodation’ of ethnic minorities.
  7. ) During federal by-elections in September 2007 in Québec, Canada’s chief electoral officer decided that voters with fully veiled faces would not be require to show their faces. In the event that a veiled voter does not wish to show their face, they either present two pieces of approved ID, at least one of which must state their address (but neither of which must contain a photo), or have another voter registered in the same district vouch for them. The Chief Electoral Officer argued that the Elections Act does not contain an absolute visual recognition requirement, noting that about 80,000 voters cast their ballots by mail in the last federal election. In reaction, the Conservative federal government has introduced a bill that would require all voters, including veiled Muslim women, to show their faces before they vote in federal elections. It is unclear, at this time, how mail-in ballots will be effect.
A
  1. ) Food, Song, and Dance accommodation. If you allow for newcomers to completely keep their homeland culture it can create “Ghettoization”
  2. ) Completely fair, “Human Rights complaints” are used by the victim who accuses the attacker. Some type of protection/recourse against discrimination for immigrants. Accommodating newcomers because of our idea of pushing Liberals idea of equality.
  3. ) Over reaction based on conservative ideals. Only reason for not allowing might be a practical reasons. Identity in Canada is based on multiculturalism, so identity is represented in allowing Mountie to wear it on parade.
  4. ) Goals are pushed hard and approximates Canadian average. Self identification= Can be tough because of internal feelings yet is most accurate means thus far. This law is justified by “historical injustice” and “systematic racism”. Lack of recognition of credentials from different places create its own issues.
  5. ) The public danger issue is apparent as carrying a dagger in school can not only be physically dangerous, but also can create fears in other students. Other dangers are present in school that could be seen as just as possibly weaponizable.
  6. ) Forms of racism, Xenaphobia, fear of the “other”.
  7. ) If producing two pieces of I.D then showing your face seems unneeded. Mail-In ballots do not require it so why should in house voter ballots.

How much should newcomers be accommodated and how much should they accommodate Canadian Society.

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32
Q

Political Cleavages

A

Political cleavages are national, ethnic, linguistic, and religious divisions that affect political allegiances and policies. Cleavages can be cumulative or cross-cut. Cumulative cleavages pit the same groups of people against one another on many issues, such as religion and class in Northern Ireland.

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33
Q

From Great Britain, Canada has adopted a _________-____ government and a constitutional monarchy

A

From Great Britain, Canada has adopted a parliamentary-style government and a constitutional monarchy

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34
Q

Constitutional monarchy= Monarch chooses the ______, which must maintain the parliament, if 50% confidence isn’t held, then a new executive must be found.

A

executive

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35
Q

The _________(GG) is appointed by Queen on advice of Prime Minister (PM) for a _____ year term.

A

The Governor General (GG) is appointed by Queen on advice of Prime Minister (PM) for a five year term

The GG dissolves Parliament on advice of the PM.

The GG invites the leader of the party with the most seats in an election to form a government and swears in its cabinet.

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36
Q

The GG dissolves Parliament to call an election on the advice of the ___

A

PM

PM does not call election

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37
Q

______ chooses a cabinet generally from those elected to the House of Commons.

____ swears cabinet ministers in

A

Prime Minister chooses a cabinet generally from those elected to the House of Commons.

GG

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38
Q

Cabinet Ministers are responsible to the _____ of _____ for a specific government department (Finance, National Defense, Foreign Affairs).

A

Cabinet Ministers are responsible to the House of Common for a specific government department (Finance, National Defense, Foreign Affairs).

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39
Q

Cabinet Ministers are not responsible to the _____, Cabinet and PM are responsible to the peoples _______.

A

Cabinet Ministers are not responsible to the people, Cabinet and PM are responsible to the peoples representatives.

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40
Q

_____ Seats in house of commons, and 1 speaker. Speaker only votes if there is a tie, and usually sides with ________.

A

338 Seats in house of commons, and 1 speaker. Speaker only votes if there is a tie, and usually sides with Government.

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41
Q

True or False= Cabinet Ministers can be shuffled out at any time by the PM

A

True

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42
Q

Caucus

A

Caucus is a group of MP’s that sit together in Parliament = NDP, Conservative, Liberal

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43
Q

Representative VS. Responsible

A

Representative is based on the

Responsible= The cabinet must maintain the “confidence” of the House of Commons or the government falls.

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44
Q

Generally, any vote involving the allocation of money and the Throne Speech are considered “____ of _____” .

A

Generally, any vote involving the allocation of money and the Throne Speech are considered “votes of confidence” and the PM can declare any vote a “vote of confidence” if they please.

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45
Q

True or False= The PM can declare any vote a “vote of confidence” if they please. If the PM’s vote fails then the Government falls.

A

True

46
Q

Creation of a Bill in Canada

In consultation with their department, the ______ creates a bill.
The minister brings the bill to ______ where it can be vetoed by the PM.

Process in House of Commons(6)

A

minister

cabinet

First Reading 
Second Reading, Debate and Vote  
Committee and Amendment  
Third Reading, Debate, Final Chance for Amendment, Vote  
Bill sent to Senate
47
Q

In a majority government the passing of a bill from the representative government in the House of Commons is ______ likely

____ selects representatives that are fed’s committees deciding if bill will pass finally

____ selects representative that are on the opposition committee

A

extremely

PM

Opposition

48
Q

After the House of Commons, the bill is sent through the ______, and follows the same processes as in house of commons.

A

senate

First Reading: Bill Tabled  
Second Reading: Debate and Vote  
Committee and Amendment  
If amended bill is sent back to House of Commons  Third Reading: Debate, Final Chance for Amendment, Vote
- Veto is extremely rare
49
Q

Senators are elected directly by the ____

A

PM

50
Q

To be in the _____ you must be __ or older and have $3,000 in personal property

A

senate, 35

51
Q

Once somebody is appointed to the senate they can stay until age ___

A

75

52
Q

The _________ gives the bill the “____ _____” and it becomes law.

The ___ have nothing to do with regulations of the bill.

A

The Governor General gives the bill “Royal Assent” and it becomes law. 
The bureaucracy in consultation with the minister draws up the regulations of the bill.

MP’s

53
Q

American Government:

Republic- no _____(_____)

A

monarchy(Royal accent)

54
Q

Separation of Power, Checks and Balances:

A

Executive does not sit in Legislature

the powers of each branch of government can be used to check the powers of the other branches

55
Q

Not Responsible Government: USA

A

The president is elected by popular vote(directly voting for Trump or Clinton) so they don’t need to keep the confidence of the House of Commons/legislature. That means a confidence vote has no power to remove President like it does in Canada.

Only way to remove President is to impeachment: prove that they did something criminal.

So essentially in for 4 years

56
Q

Only way to remove President is with ______

A

impeachment

57
Q

Canada has ___ of branches of Government, while in US which has ____

A

fusion

separation

58
Q

Formulation and Dissolution: US

A

Presidents and Vice-Presidents are elected to four year terms at fixed election dates with a limit of two terms by the electoral college.

The House of Representatives is elected for two year terms and is representation by population.

The Senate is elected for six year terms, one third is elected every two years, and there are two senators per state regardless of its size

59
Q

The House of Representatives is elected for ____ year terms and is representation by population.

Representation by population

A

2

60
Q

The Senate is elected for ____ year terms, one third is elected every two years, and there are ___ senators per state regardless of its size

Every election 1/3 of senate is always up for grabs

A

6

2

61
Q

Congressman/Congresswoman is either a ______ or _______. US

A

Representative or Senator

62
Q

How a bill becomes a law in US: Exhaustive

President does not have direct input at first, but can recommend laws that he/she thinks should be passed.

A
  1. ) A senator and/or a representative proposes a bill
  2. ) The bill goes to a sub-committee where hearings are held and it is voted upon
  3. ) The bill then goes to the full standing committee and is voted upon
  4. ) The bill then goes to the Rules Committee to determine the rules under which it may be debated
  5. ) The bill then goes up for debate and voting on the floor of the house in which it originated
    6a. ) If a bill was not proposed simultaneously in both houses it must now go through the same process in the other house.
    6b. ) When the bill makes it through both houses, its goes to a Conference Committee made up of Representatives and Senators to iron out any differences that bill now has. If they are unable to compromise the bill dies.
  6. ) The bill as amended by the Conference Committee goes to both houses for final approval.
  7. ) The President then has 10 days to decide to veto or sign the bill

Multiple veto points make it extremely difficult to pass a bill.

Bills pass through House and Senate and are changed, so after both pass they must be brought back together enough to pass.

5% of bills pass to become law

63
Q

About ___% of bills in the US pass and become Law

A

5

64
Q

President

A

.head of state

.veto over all legislation passed by congress unless it was passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses

.Suggest laws and a budget to be pasted by congress

.Executive orders

.Appoints cabinet and nominates Supreme Court judges which must be ratified by the senate

.Commander and Chief of the US Army

.Signs treaties which must be ratified by 2/3 of the senate

. Pardons

65
Q

The President has a seat in congress

T or F

A

F

66
Q

Cabinet

A

No constitutional basis 
Appointed by president 
Unelected heads of 15 major departments of the American government 
Cannot hold a seat in Congress 
Implement laws passed by Congress or policy directives from the president 
No major legislative function

67
Q

________ appoints secretaries

A

president

68
Q

Cabinet minister’s get orders directly from ______

A

president

they can be removed easily

69
Q

Vice-President is a part of Cabinet

T or F

A

T

only elected member of Cabinet

70
Q

Outcomes of US system of Gov

A

Since there are fixed elections and no cabinet in Congress there is very loose party discipline. 

This system makes it hard for governments to do anything or for any laws to get passed.

71
Q

President ______remove a Senator from Senate

A

cannot

72
Q

Electoral college itself is an ______, the popular vote is not the determining factor(Clinton would have won). If the _____ is different then it changes the political outcome.

A

institution

73
Q

the ______ have not voted for President-Elect Trump, the electoral college did.

A

people

74
Q

Electoral College

A
  • Provides the need for candidates to visit and campaign in smaller areas, gives them voting equality.
  • Benefits the republicans as it ignores popular vote(Clinton & Gore)
  • Favors republicans at the moment
75
Q

Public Policy definition

A

“What government choose to do and choose not to do.”

76
Q

Public Policy

A
  1. Starts with problem identification
  2. Choose what to do and what not to do to fix the problem

The outputs of politics(what makes it through because it is feasible).
Way easier to find an issue then it is to fix it(ex: trump-wall)

77
Q

Problem Identifiers and Solvers are usually ______ and _______

On the directive of the ______, the _______ find options for moving forward.

Very ______ and Very _______,
________–>________–>__________

A

bureaucrats, cabinet ministers

minister, bureaucrats

Hierarchal, Specialized
Minister–>BUREAUCRACY–>Public

bureaucrats are supposed to be non-partisan

78
Q

Staffers or _______ _______ work in the ministers office, yet unlike the bureaucracy they are partisan(part of a political party). Minister will bring these people in based on trust. Get to know them through campaigning. The work to pass along the ministers wishes. They _____(are not, or are) appointed on merit.

A

parliamentary assistants

are not

79
Q

Watch interaction/relationship between Minister-Staffer-Bureaucrat
in Yes, Minister!

A

The minister may want something, yet bureaucrats do something else

Bureaucrats looking to keep regular funding, bigger budgets while the minister is looking to cut back. Bureaucrats making as hard as possible

So who has the power?

Different situation have different power balance

One View: Yes, Minister view that Bureaucrats are in control as they are there for a while, while the minister is not there long. They control all info and implementation

2nd View: Minister controls everything and the bureaucrats do as told

Truth is probably between the two somewhere with variation!

80
Q

Exercise for Chapter 17 of Differences that Count, POLS 111

Follow my lecture and fill out this sheet for the policy community of the environment and the policy of Canada’s signing onto the Kyoto Protocol(1997).

Components of a Policy Community =

Sub-government:

Attentive public:

Operation of the Policy Community through 5 Stages of the Policy-Making Process

  1. ) Agenda-setting:
  2. ) Decision-making:
  3. ) Policy Instrument Choice:
  4. ) Implementation:
  5. ) Evaluation:
A

Components of a policy Community(Focus on Environment)=

Sub-government:
. The part of government that is particularly interested in a specific policy(i.e. Environment) or policy area. Made up of Minister, Bureaucracy, and Staffers

Attentive public:
. Number of citizens, non-governmental groups(ex: Greenpeace), industries(mines) that are particularly interested in the policy area

Operation of the Policy Community through 5 Stages of the Policy-Making Process(policy cycle): helps decided what to do and what not to do
1.) Agenda-setting:
. Decision on what the problem is and recognizing it
. Coming out with a plan that lays out the future
. Ex: Listening to scientists with evidence of climate change
2.) Decision-making: Connected with 3
. After recognition of problem; confirmation of problem
. Decision on how to move forward on Climate Change action
. Find options for moving forward

3.) Policy Instrument Choice: Connected with 2
. could be taxes, regulations, protocols, Subsidies
. also asked for voluntary reductions by citizens

4.) Implementation:
. Have to go out and actually follow through on policies

5.) Evaluation:
. Supposed to decrease levels, levels went up!
. Lib government was trying to solve the problem without spending legitimate spending
. Some types of evaluations are harder to measure the positives and negatives

81
Q

Welfare State

A

Government taking money off of paychecks and pooling it together to the benefit of those in need. A misconception is that this provides aid for free, yet it is subsidized not completely paid for.

Ex: Public Health System, Education System, Social Assistance(Welfare), Unemployment Insurance, pension system, Old Age Security.

82
Q

History of Welfare System

A

1900- No welfare state whatsoever

. Is really a creation of the 20th Century
- Late 19th Century Capitalism pushed it
- Great Depression 1929
- Poor, working, people were allowed to vote now
- To soften the blow of capitalism
- About REDUCING wealth inequality not make them disappear
- 1930-1970: Growth of the Welfare State “Golden Age”
- 1970- Forward: Economy wasn’t doing well so they were trying to figure out what to do, Raise taxes, Go into Debt, Decrease Welfare State
- 1990: Most of Canada had a reduction in Welfare State
- 2000’s:
. Provides low-cost services like health and education
. Forms of income support (Supplements to income)
. Forms of Insurance

83
Q

The Four Fundamental Questions Facing the Welfare State
In groups of two, answer the following questions. Which side of the issue do you come down on? Why? Your Opinion?
1.) Is wealth redistribution still a goal for society?
Recent studies have shown that there the gap between rich and poor has not moved in recent years. Further, many studies illustrate that one in five Canadian children live below the poverty line. On the other hand, some may argue that the poor in Canada are much better off than they were during the most the 20th century and have access to numerous educational opportunities and free health care.
2.) Is a generous welfare state a drain on the economy?
Some argue that the generous social programs necessitate high taxes which choke entrepreneurial initiative and scare away international investment. Other argue that generous social programs provide a good basis for economic growth since companies do not have to pay expensive health care costs and the workforce is well-educated and productive.
3.) Should the welfare state be expanded?
Some argue that we should concentrate on improving the social programs that we already have instead of building programs in new areas. Others say that the strong economic growth of the 2000s permits us to expand the welfare state to include such things as free, public daycare to help women enter the workforce or increased coverage for prescription drugs to ensure that everybody can access the drugs they need to be healthy.
4.) Should welfare state programs be targeted or universal?
The best example of this difference was the recent provincial election where the Saskatchewan Party introduced a drug plan targeted to children under the age of 15 and low-income seniors whereas the NDP promised a drug plan for everyone. Another example would be a tuition reduction for every student or tuition grants for low-income students only. Some argue that targeted programs are less expensive and ensure that only those who really need help receive it. Others argue that universal coverage avoids arbitrary cut off of benefits, ensures that all benefit from society’s growing wealth, and create a more caring and equal society. Further, these same people argue that since such benefits are universal they are not perceived as charity and are very difficult to erode in the future because everybody benefits (Medicare being the best case in point).

A

1.) Could be expanded a bit more but is almost at a good level. Still some areas which need aid.
Competing: Creating Jobs, Freedom

2.) Is a drain on economy, but you have to balance the benefits versus the costs.
Happy Medium

3.) Were at a pretty good spot right now and relying on economic growth that may not be available in the future does not make sense.

  1. ) Targeted for some things and not others! Very difficult because the system has to be perfect not to miss anyone.
    - Arbitrary Cuttoffs are inevitable in targeted(an income of 29,000 versus 31,000)
84
Q

Only ways to pay for social programs is through ______ and ______

A

taxation and going into debt

85
Q

______ is involved in taxes as you have to decided who pays the most taxes, or if everyone pay there fair share.

Taxation also affects peoples willingness to spend money

Taxes can be targeted to push people away or towards certain things

A

morality

86
Q

“______ taxes=better welfare state”
“______taxes= minimal welfare state”
-debatable but generally allowable

A

higher

lower

87
Q

Tradeoff’s

A
  • your always trading off one thing for another

- tradeoff between lower/higher taxes for minimal/better welfare

88
Q

Finance minister is concerned with 3 things

loads of money is spent on debt servicing charges

A
  1. spending
  2. taxes
  3. deficits and debt

loads of money is spent on debt servicing charges

89
Q

After the finance minister announces the budgets it takes _______ to actually find out how much was spent.

Generally you usually get _______ deficit updates

A

1.5 years

quarterly

90
Q

Saskatchewan Tax types(15)

A

Personal income tax: a tax on personal income
-you can make it dependent on how much you make

Corporate Income Taxes: a tax on the profit made by a company

Resource Royalties:(important in Sask) resources that are not renewable are given an extra tax.

  • not taken from profit
    ex: trees, oil, potash

Payroll Taxes: tax on ever single employee
-A way to tax bigger companies over small

Carbon Taxes: Your taxing a certain activity that emits carbon

Inheritance tax: Tax on inheritance from family members

Health Premiums: Health tax, everyone pays a certain amount to get access to healthcare

Corporate Capital Taxes: Taxing the gain from investment income

Sales Taxes:

Fuel Taxes:

Tobacco Taxes:

Transfer Payments: Money coming in from federal government

User fee’s: charged for using certain things

Crown Dividend: Money coming from crown corporations into the publics money

Vehicle Licenses:

91
Q

First Past the Post

A

338 seats
Put in place in Britain in the 19th Century
-Canada followed as did all commonwealth

.You can win with less then 1 % of the vote, all about who has more
-Causes disproportionality in representation
.Past the post comes from the idea of a runner passing the finish first to win
. One vote to pick candidate to win seat in provincial legislature
. Wasted Votes: Not bothering to vote because an area is a lock for one party
. Strategic Votes: Not voting for your preferred party because they don’t think it can win
. No cross-party cooperation

92
Q

The mixed member proportion system(MMP)

A

. One of the alternatives to FPP
. Combination of two voting systems:
- FPP and a proportional representative system
.Everyone would vote twice
-once for “Local Member” and once for “Political Party”
.They have it in Scotland

. 2 different types of seats in Scottish parliament

  • 60% Constituency seats(past the post-for the riding)
  • 40% List seats(Political Party)
93
Q

Electoral system

A

the system by which we elect our representatives to represent you in the legislature

94
Q

Disproportionality

A

Representation has nothing to do with the proportion of the vote you get

95
Q

“false majority”

A

you can get a majority government with less then 50% of the vote

96
Q

List seats represent the whole of Saskatchewan not specific ________

A

constituencies

-representatives have to run province wide campaigns

97
Q

Case for the MMP system?

A

.2 votes means you can more specifically choose your preferences
. No matter who you vote for it makes a difference
. Proportionality: No false majority
. Minority’s can be represented
. Under an MMP level majority governments would not exist, cross party relationships would have to improve
. Minority governments would rule
. Slow down the idea of ‘Strategic Voting’

98
Q

Case against MMP system?

A

. It shifts the power of localities to party headquarters
- Generally less ridings, larger ridings
. smaller ridings more important then proportionality
. Party insiders choosing representative over voters
. Not clear until a month after which parties will lead in coalition
. FPTP is much more similar
. No majority governments means to decisiveness
. Fringe parties holding balance of power

99
Q

Monsef’s 8 Principles of MMP in Canada: Liberals

AND

Committee’s recommendations: 3

A

. Voter intentions translate fairly into electoral reults without distortion
. Canadians should be inspired to find common ground and consensus
. Canadians should feel that vote is meaningful and influences politics
.Maintain Local representation
. Increase diversity in the house of commons
. Cannot make electoral system more complex
. Voting needs to

Recommendations:
. The government should hold a referendum, in which the current system is on the ballot
. That the referendum propose a proportional electoral system that achieves a Gallagher index score of 5 or less
. That the government complete the design of the alternative electoral system that is proposed on the referendum ballot prior to the start of the referendum campaign period

100
Q

Judiciary

A

Is the process by which laws made by the legislature are reviewed by the judiciary are found to be or not to be in accordance with the constitution and defined within it.
.The form of government that decides on whether a party is guilty or not
. Decision on whether rights of citizens are infringed on
. Has to choose which rights are more important on a case by case basis

101
Q

One of the most important roles of a judiciary is judiciating citizens _______

A

rights

102
Q

Rights?
3 entitlements?

Rights are _____ and ______________

A

ensure that there are certain actions that government cannot take, certain freedoms that the government and society cannot violate, and certain entitlements that the government must provide its citizens

  1. FREEDOMS(have limits):gives individuals the freedom to perform a certain action without interference(ex: mobility, speech)
  2. PROTECTIONS: require the state to protect individuals from undue harm that may be inflicted on them by others or agents of the state(ex: discrimination, section 15 is biggest protection in charter)
  3. ENTITLEMENTS: is the right to a specific benefit from the government
    - no right to healthcare, education, and social assistance in charter
    - Charter contains very FEW entitlements

Codified(written down) and can’t be taken away

103
Q

Section ____

A

15- the biggest protection in the charter

Says you cannot discriminate against Sex, Race, or other characteristics.

104
Q

Judiciary US and CAN

A

Parliament passes laws
-Courts decide whether those laws infringe on any rights
Is the process by which laws made by the legislature are reviewed by the judiciary are found to be or not to be in accordance with the constitution and defined within it.

105
Q

______ is the only way a government can be forced to change laws.

A

Judicial Review

A process by which a governments laws are challenged by citizens. The court decides whether or not the government has to change their laws.

106
Q

Who decides what your rights are?

A

Judges(appointed by minister of justice)

107
Q

Advantages(4) and disadvantages(3) of Judicial Review

A

ADV:

  1. Protects your rights
  2. Protects the minority against the majority
  3. Empower citizens
  4. Allows decisions in society that may be a bit ahead of the curve to be made quickly

DIS:

  1. Judges play a role in making law which is bad because they are not democratically elected
  2. May allow governments to not make a final decision by placing power in the courts(putting a law to courts)
  3. Lines of accountability become blurred
108
Q

Name 4 fields of politics

A

political philosophy, Canadian politics, comparative politics, or international relations.

109
Q

4 Methodical approaches to political science

A

political philosophy, behaviouralism, institutionalism, or political economy

110
Q

5 key components of a liberal democracy

A

Rights and Freedoms, Separation of Church and State, Constitutionalism, Rule of Law, and Representative and Responsible Government.

111
Q

4 great questions of political philosophy

A

What is human nature? Are the interests of the individual or the community more important? How much should government interfere in the economy and the private lives of citizens? What is the best form of government?

112
Q

3 Components of all ideologies

A
  1. ) Idealization (What is the good society?)
  2. ) Diagnosis (Critique of existing society)
  3. ) Prescription (The way to transform existing society into the good society)