political science Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the state of nature

A

ID; created by Thomas Hobbes, The state of nature is the way of living without any sort of ruler or government. People live in constant fear, as everyone must fend for themselves and has the ability to kill.
Significance; This is what people want to avoid and can be seen as one of the reasons on why government or having a ruler was necessary

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2
Q

what is a sovereign

A

ID; a sovereign is the head ruler. just one person, meaning they can still be killed and the only way one becomes a sovereign Is if people agree to follow and obey them
Significance: Without the making of a sovereign or ruler, the population would still be in a state of nature and be living in pure anarchy

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3
Q

what is democracy

A

ID; Democracy is compromise between living in a state of nature versus having no opinion in the government. It lets the population being ruled have a sense of opinion in who rules their land.
Significance; in Canadian democracy we are allowed rot vote for who we want to rule but where that person wins is beyond our control, as there is more than one candidate

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4
Q

how is Canada not a democracy

A

one party can rule all
we have a queen limited representation
strategic voting
party picks candidates

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5
Q

what was Jean Jaque Rousseaus opinion on government

A

Jean jaque rousseau had a major influence on Enlightenment thought and the Age of Revolutions. He believed “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” We form societies to give up our freedom for our own advantage. He believed that there needs to be a government because there are some things we can not. do on our own, we have no guide or structure

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6
Q

what makes a government legitimate

A

divine providence; god picked you to be ruler
force; mighty makes right
Personal alienation; voluntary slavery
social peace; they keep peace

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7
Q

what is the social contract

A

ID; The act of giving up upper rights, submerging yourself to the will of the people, creating a unified group of people called the state.
Significance; It allows unification as a population

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8
Q

what is an assembly

Athens

A

1/6 of the population would show up to argue about big decisions that needed to be made. All citizens were allowed to go. Important decisions did not get decided there.

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9
Q

what is a council of 500 (Athens)

A

Important decisions were made, where it was easier to debate

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10
Q

what is the president of the council (Athens)

A

One who runs these debates

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11
Q

what is a jury (Athens)

A

the person that decides whether laws will be made

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12
Q

What is ostracism

A

ID: when you shun someone out of a certain place for a period of time. There did not have to be a reason such as crime or wrongdoing, it is simply a group decision
Significance: In Athen they would vote who they wanted to get ostracized and whoever got voted would have to leave Athens for 10 years

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13
Q

What is the difference between Political society and Civil society

A

Political society is public, what the public eye sees when forming governments. Civil society is the private aspect that people don’t see, such as the disadvantages and advantages candidates have over one another (e.g more money)

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14
Q

What is the last form of voting by lottery that a government still demonstrates

A

Jury duty

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15
Q

Why did Socrates get prosecuted and sent to death

A

• He was trying to convince the youth that there is no god, he was somewhat of an atheist. he is accused of teaching people to be disloyal to the city

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16
Q

Why was socrates wrongfully accused

A

he didn’t technically break the law

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17
Q

what is civil disobedience

A

ID; It is a public, non violent and conscientious breach of undertaken law, with the aim of bringing a change in laws and government policies
significance: Civil disobedience has been used as a way for the public to voice their opinions and make a change. It is often demonstrated in the form of walk outs, protests, etc`

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18
Q

what would socrates say about civil disobedience

A

Socrates, in the voice of law: If I have relied on the laws of Athens all my life, and now that they work against me I should break it?
Socrates says that he signed a social contract, he grew up in the protection of that law, if he were to ignore the law it would be as if he were saying “the laws are only okay when they work in my favour”

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19
Q

what happened in the US civil rights movement

A

Beginning in the 1870s, the Jim Crow movement began. After the civil war. Authorities rigged the system, segregation, disenfranchise and terrorism. If they couldn’t legally prevent black people from owning a house, going to school, etc, they started the segregation movement.

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20
Q

what does disenfranchise mean

A

preventing black people from voting and making everything harder for the black community

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21
Q

How does Martin Luther king justify civil disobediance

A

you can retaliate by going against the law that the government broke. If a law is unjust, sometimes breaking the law is a way of restoring the law

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22
Q

what is a positive law

A

a law that someone gives (manmade)

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23
Q

what is a natural law

A

a law that exists “naturally” and independently of society. Natural laws are given prior to positive laws.

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24
Q

what is moral relativism:

A

what is moral and not moral depends on the time and situation

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25
Q

what is moral absolutism

A

either right wrong

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26
Q

who are the three groups that run the Canadian government

A

legislator, the executive and the judiciary

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27
Q

what is a government

A

the set of instructions and practices that make and enforce collective public decisions for a society.

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28
Q

is canada a dual or single executive

A

dual, head of state and head of government where the formal and political executive are divided

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29
Q

who is the formal executive

A

the queen

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30
Q

who is the political executive

A

prime minister

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31
Q

How does Trudeau have more power than Biden theoretically

A

in Canada the legislative and executive branch are fused. The US has them separated, so in theory Trudeau can pass pretty much whatever he wants so long as he has majority.

32
Q

how does the legislative branch and executive branch work together

A

It is when the government of the day is to the legislator. Every day the legislative branch decides to let the PM govern another day> The government in power for the day must at all time be responsible to parliament, they must have confidence of the majority of the MPS. If at any time they lose support, they are no longer responsive.

33
Q

How does Justin Trudeau have some power over the legislative

A

the senate in the legislative branch is chosen by the PM

34
Q

Delegate model of representation

A

Their purpose is to give voice to their constituents. Check their own beliefs at the door. Their purpose is to be an embodiment of what their constituents want. The delegate of their constituents

35
Q

Trustee model of representation:

A

trustees do not necessarily mirror specific community interests, but instead work together to find policy solutions for the common good. Their job is to act in accordance with what they think is the right call. Often this means not asking themselves what their own constituents want, rather whats good for the class as a whole

36
Q

what is a political party

A

ID; - An organizations who’s fundamental purpose is to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and supporting their election
significance: Canada has many political parties that represent the population in many ways, each one fighting for power in government

37
Q

What are brokerage parties

A

Canada does them well, a party that tries to appeal to a broad spectrum of positions, many different parties, ideological parties and all people. They appeal to everyone. We have The liberal party has been the brokerage party.
Sometimes called “ big tents” since their lack of strong ideology means that voters are comfortable voting for multiple brokerage parties

38
Q

What is a constitutional law

A

Law that establishes institutions of the state and their respective powers, and often fundamental limits on state behaviour

39
Q

what is Public Law:

A

The law that governors relations within the state. The body of law that governs relations within the state and the relationship between state and individuals or organizations, including criminal law, administrative law, tax law, and constitutional (murder, tax law, state is saying you are breaking the law)

40
Q

What is a private law

A

The body of the law and governs the relationship between private individuals and organizations, including contract law, property law, family law, torts, etc

41
Q

Role of the Judiciary:

A

1) Enforce law
2) Interpret law
3) Judicial review
4) Setting disputes through adjudication
5) Enforcing legal limits on the power of politicians

42
Q

What is judicial review

A

The power of a court to decide by the government is constitutional. If a law is ruled to be unconstitutional, a court can overturn (or “Strike down”) that law. Make the courts important actor in politics and public policy. Something that happened when the law was passed that made it unconstitutional. If it goes against someone’s religion. When the Supreme court stops a constitutional law from passing

43
Q

The Supreme Court

A

The Supreme Court of Canada is a general court of appeal from decisions of all other Canadian courts of law. It therefore has jurisdiction over disputes in all areas of the law, including constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law and private law.

44
Q

there are 9 members in the Supreme Court, where are they from

A
3 Quebec
3 Ontario
1 BC
1 prairies 
1 Atlantic Canada
45
Q

What are some reasons to why small parties are not represented the same as the two remaining parties in an election

A

The ability to raise money is a barrier on small parties
Media
Strategic voting

- It doesn’t matter who the parties are but you will only ever have two parties in the main election. The issue is not the beliefs of the people, money, etc, it’s the rules of how votes turn into power
46
Q

what is the electoral system

A

set the rules that determine how citizens cast their votes, how the votes are counts, and how they are translated into legislative seats.

47
Q

What is the non proportional system when voting

A

1) The goal is to win the most votes but you don’t need to win a majority. All you need is to have ore votes than anyone else. Majority (>50%). Candidates aim to win the most votes but need not win a majority of votes in his/her riding. All you need is to win the most votes in your district.

48
Q

What is a constitution

A

ID; sets the fundamental rules by which a country is governed, allocates power among governmental institutions and regulates the relationship between citizens and the state
Significance; A constitution is written document that describes the rights of citizens. It also regulates the relations between governments and government structure,

49
Q

How does one change the constitution

A

In order to change the constitution you need support from the parliament and all of the provinces. In the united states has a leader of the national democratic party, its not that way in Canada, the leader of the federal parties can not easily push around the provincial parties

50
Q

What is a constitutional law

A

the supreme laws of Canada addressing the comprehensive rules of the regime

51
Q

What is a constitutional convention

A

a rule based implicit political agreements and enforces in the political arena. Things that are not explicitly in the constitution, an unsaid rule. Can not go again the constitution

52
Q

who is uncharge of deciding whether a convention is to be followed or not

A

the Supreme Court

53
Q

What is an organic statue

A

an act by the legislature establishing constitutional rules

54
Q

How did the Supreme Court of Canada become more powerful in 1982

A

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Entrenched in the CA, 1982
The SCC became more powerful and important because the constitution just got bigger, more rules more bases to cover.

55
Q

what is an ideological party

A

committed to one ideology position, They are single issued parties

56
Q

what is classical liberalism

A

ID; an ideological perspective based on a belief in a minimal role for government, leaving individuals to pursue their own beliefs as long as they do not seriously harm others.
Significance; this is a political perspective that came from warfare. People can believe whatever they want to believe but cant make other people do the same.

57
Q

what was the White paper

A

ID; in 1969 the Canadian government attempted to pass a policy paper that attempted to abolish the Indian Act and treaties, and assimilate all “Indian” peoples under the Canadian state.
significance: The backlash to the 1969 white papers was significant, leading to its withdrawal in 1970, but also a wave of activism, academic work and court decisions over the next five decades.

58
Q

what is communitarian

A

An ideology that says that our social identity, values, and personality are formed through our membership in communities (e.g family, religion) and only secondarily as individuals

59
Q

Why was the notwithstanding clause made

A

Trudeau wanted to prevent Quebec from succeeding from Canada because they wanted to preserve their French language

60
Q

what section of the chart is the notwithstanding clause

A

section 33

61
Q

what does the notwithstanding clause do

A

The notwithstanding clause is a loophole for a law to get stricken down. This law can used to pass a law that goes against section 2 (fundamental freedoms) section 7-14 ( legal rights) section 15 ( equality rights)

62
Q

what was the bill of rights

A

ID:in 1960 the Canadian Bill of Rights was the country’s first federal law to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Significance; It was significant because it allowed
Liberal democratic rights
Bilingual language rights
Minority language education rights
Official bilingualism for government services and institutions
Mobility rights

63
Q

what does constitutional change require

A

unanimous provincial support

64
Q

what happened in 1982-1992

A

Huge constitutional issues were being debated, it was a period of instability. Was driving political disagreement, other provinces were feeling ignored. The other provinces felt marginalized. The sense that the west is ignored because everything revolves around Ontario and Quebec.

65
Q

what was the national energy program

A

in response to the oil crisis- oil crisis in 1973, threat to national sovereignty, economic base in Quebec and Ontario, sticker shock in Atlantic Canada.

66
Q

Why was petro Canada developed

A

Petro Canada was made to release oil from Alberta
Trudeau creates NEP, semi nationalism
In 1980s major recession in Alberta and Manitoba because the government was taking their oil

67
Q

what does a Governor General do

A

(someone who doesn’t have a big role in parliament, she can dissolve an election or cause an election)

68
Q

what does proroguing mean

A
  • When you prorogues Parliament, you suspend it. You end the current session but you don’t trigger an election. Its pausing parliament
69
Q

why is Quebec central to all parties elector strategies

A
  • Bloc is the wildcard, if they don’t do well than the liberals are favoured, if they do well the conservatives are favoured
70
Q

what is a nation

A

Nations are things we imagine. They are an imagined communities full of people who we will never meet one another and places they will visit, but are nevertheless willing to go to war to protect.

71
Q

what motion was passed by the hood]se of commons in 2006

A

“That this House recognize that the Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada”

72
Q

what does unneeded mean

A

a nation exists but doesn’t have the roper right to their land.
Where does this right or acknowledgement come from.

73
Q

what is the treaty of peace and friendship

A

The treat of peace and friendship was written to acknowledge indigenous culture. Under the treaty of piece and friendship there are no trading off lands. The things that are recognized are the rights to sell, the rights to hunting and fishing, to pass through territories
As you move through Canada, no treaty was signed and land was just taken.
The treaty of peace and friendship carries special obligations

74
Q

what was the Indian ACT 1876

A

Defines a status Indian, aka who counts as Indigenous.
If you were a status Indian you did not have the right to vote, if you wanted to go to university you would be stripped of your indigenous culture
It prohibited legal challenged to or discussions of the Indian Act
Gave government power to regulate indigenous commerce and trade, resource management, ceremonies, etc.

75
Q

what is western alienation

A

In Canadian politics, Western alienation is the notion that the Western provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – have been alienated, and in some cases excluded, from mainstream Canadian political affairs in favour of Ontario and Quebec.