Political Dimensions

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

System of government in which power lies with the people.

Question 2

Dictatorship

Question 3

Liberal Principles

Question 4

Direct Democracy

Answer 4

People vote directly on issues. Works better with small groups because it requires that everyone gather in a space to discuss the issue, then vote.

Question 5

Representative Democracy

Answer 5

Citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf

Question 6

Elite Theory of Democracy

Answer 6

One elite group of citizens, deemed qualified, is given the task of making decisions for all. Anthony Downs argued that since one vote has little impact in a mass group of voters, they may be less inclined to make rational and well informed decisions.

Question 7

Lobbying

Answer 7

An attempt to influence the direction of government policy by groups that represent a particular interest.

Question 8

Tyranny of the Majority

Answer 8

A potential problem of democracies. That the will of the majority may be imposed on minorities, to the detriment of other liberal principles.

Question 9

Parliamentary Democracy

Question 10

Presidential Democracy

Question 11

Proportional Representation

Answer 11

Citizens vote directly for a party and representatives are assigned based on popular support obtained. This encourages participation by minority parties who would not obtain representation on the systems used in Canada and the US.

Question 12

Responsible Government

Answer 12

The executive branch of government (proposes laws, consists of PM and CMs) is dependent on direct or indirect support from elected members of the legislative branch (majority of MPs in the House of Commons). if legislative branch does not approve, executive branch may be forced to resign or call an election.

Question 13

Checks and Balances

Answer 13

Power is shared among executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each can keep an eye on one another to prevent one from absolute power.

Question 14

Characteristics of Totalitarian Regimes

Question 15

Fascism

Question 16

Communism

Question 17

Initiatives

Answer 17

Citizen’s group draws up a petition. If the petition gets enough signatures, it can force a public vote on an issue.

Question 18

Referendums/ Plebiscites

Answer 18

All citizens may vote on whether to accept or reject a proposed piece of legislation.

Question 19

Recalls

Answer 19

A majority of voters may choose to have an elected official removed from office, usually initiated by a petition.

Question 20

Constitution

Question 21

Constitutional monarchy

Question 22

One party state

Answer 22

only one party makes up the government. No other parties are allowed to run candidates in an election.

Question 23

Oligarchy

Answer 23

Political power rests in a small, elite segment of society

Question 24

Military dictatorship

Answer 24

Political power resides with military leadership. Often they come into power through a coup d’etat.

Question 25

Populism

Question 26

Totalitarian State

Answer 26

Single party regime, can be found at the extremes of the political spectrum (communism and fascism. No political opposition is tolerated. Conformity to the demands of the state is required and achieved through coercion.