October 9, Slides 1-4 Flashcards
How is “rule by the people” put into practice in Canada?
Through representative democracy where citizens vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) who form and support a government that makes decisions on their behalf.
How are Canadians represented in Parliamentary democracy?
Canadians are represented geographically by MPs in the House of Commons, with each MP representing a specific electoral district (riding). These MPs represent the voices and concerns of their constituents.
How democratic is Canadian parliamentary democracy?
The system is democratic in allowing citizens to vote, but its fairness is debated due to the “first past the post” electoral system, which can lead to disproportional representation where parties may win a majority of seats without a majority of votes.
What was the early role of the Monarch in the Parliamentary government?
Initially, the system operated with “Monarch acts, Parliament ratifies,” where the Monarch had direct control over decisions and Parliament’s role was to approve them.
How did the role of the Monarch and Parliament evolve over time?
The system shifted to “Parliament acts, Monarch ratifies,” where Parliament became the primary legislative body making laws, and the Monarch’s role became largely ceremonial.
What is the role of Parliament in the current system?
Parliament serves as the legislative branch responsible for creating laws, while holding the executive (the Cabinet) accountable through mechanisms like confidence votes.
How did the Cabinet evolve in the Parliamentary system?
The Cabinet transitioned from being the Monarch’s advisers to a “collective executive” responsible to Parliament and required to maintain the confidence of the legislature.
Why is the Prime Minister considered powerful in a Parliamentary system?
The Prime Minister, leading the Cabinet, effectively controls both the legislative and executive branches, consolidating significant authority within the government.
How does the evolution of Parliamentary government concentrate power in the hands of the Prime Minister and Cabinet?
Over time, the system shifted from “Monarch acts, Parliament ratifies” to “Parliament acts, Monarch ratifies.” This placed legislative power in Parliament’s hands. The Cabinet, chosen from Parliament and led by the Prime Minister, transitioned from being the Monarch’s advisers to a “collective executive” responsible to Parliament. To govern, the Cabinet must maintain the confidence of the legislature. This arrangement means the Prime Minister and Cabinet hold control over both the legislative (law-making) and executive (policy implementation) branches, creating a powerful central authority in the Canadian Parliamentary system, as visually emphasized by the image with the Prime Minister wearing a crown.
