Poli 101

Government

those who have been elected to power -chosen through elections

Fragment theory

-European parents ad cultural genes -new societies were fragments of european societies that gave birth to them --brought cultural baggage -the founding groups as a kind of genetic code that does not determine but sets limits to later cultural developments -new world societies were fragments of European societies that gave birth to them -the founders ideology becomes the dominant ideology Canada- French Canada and English Canada -both brought own culture over but diluted -were anti american due to their loyalty to England

Social capital

-Fabric connections between members of a community

Coalition Government

-two or more parties agree to form government together -can happen before or after election

Federalism

A belief that certain decisions should be taken by the representatives of the whole of the state and that others decisions should be taken by them members of units -a belief centre-an acceptance of difference -every province has different relationships with the state -Canada -- highly centralized parliamentary system coupled with highly decentralized federal system -PM -shared and self rule -guides governance of the state -requires acceptance of difference within Canada -provinces are not subordinate to the federal government unitary and federal systems unitary system of government -a system in which all sovereign authority of that nation-state resides in one governing body-the national government -the national government decides how much power to delegate -the country has one sovereign government -authority is constitutionally divided between two levels of government -niether level of government can be understand to have sovereign authority --the constitution gives legal jurisdiction over matters of national concern to the national legislatures -in the federal system the provincial state governments are not beholden to the national government in the way that local governments are beholden in a unitary system -in a unitary system authority flows from the centre out -in federal authority is constitutionally divided -national government as the federal government because it is the government of the whole federal union -municipal governments fall within the jurisdiction of the provincial government --but the provincial governments are not subordinates of the federal government any more than the federal government any more than the federal government is subordinate to the provinces -the provinces and the federal government must agree on changes to the federal division of powers --neither party can change the term of the contract on its own Why a federal union -the idea ultimately proved appealing to three of the colonies that would go on to make up the first four provinces of Canada 1. the new arrangments would break the deadlock that existed between french/eng in the largest colony by tilting the balance of power in the new union in favour of the english 2. the new government of the dominion of Canada could provide a coordinated plan of economic developments of railways/roads 3. Third -it could provide greater security for both the small colonies, which were concerned about American imperial designs on them and the uncolonized parts of north america 4. it would help to relieve the burden on britain of providing troops and personnel to administer the colonies 5. it would make Canadian expanison into the western part of north america easier Canada was confronted into two serious political divisions: the split between the french and the english and a division between the centre and the periphery Creation of a federal union -french canadians and the maritimers -Canadians were reluctant to organize the government on the federal principle 1. federalism was percieved to have failed in the US -there was a divide with the civil war 2. it would create 2 levels of government and hence be more costly than unitary government -divided loyalties -challenge the fathers of confederation then was to form of federlism that would minimize the percieved defects of federal unions and yet meet the objections of those colonists who opposed a unitary system -fathers of confederation intended to create a highly centralized federal union -one in whicch the federal government would dominate -Canada has one of the most decentralized federal unions in the world differnent kinds of federalism at different points in history -Quasi Federalism (1867-1896)-relationship between the national and provincial government were analogous to the colonial relationship between britan and canada -Classical Federalism (1896-1914) -courts handed down a series of important constitutional decisions -became important federal powers provincial jurisdiction expanded as well (property and civil rights) -emergency federalism (1914-1960)-balance of power was more in the hands of the federal government -with ww2 Canada needed stong command of the economy and society -cooperative federalism (1960-1995)-economies of the western democracies grew steadily -provincial government has the ability to raise revenues and exercise power over the respect of jurisdiction -public expectations began to rise --executive federalism -Executive federalism is "the processes of intergovernmental negotiation that are dominated by the executives of the different governments within the federal system. -collaborative and open federalism (1995-present)-realizing collective goals in provinces and setting mutual expectation -open federalism -governments do their own thing in their jurisdictions Financing government -fiscal federalism -3 branches 1. taxation -direct and indirect taxes 2 federal spending power -ottawas power to spend money as it pleases -conditional grant -unconditional grants -large block of funds to each province, which allows for greater provincial discretion in how the monies are spent 3. equalization payment- Equalization payments in Canada -In Canada, the federal government makes equalization payments to less wealthy Canadian provinces to equalize the provinces' "fiscal capacity"—their ability to generate tax revenues

Constitution

A set of rules that authority establishes both the structure and the fundamental principles of the political regime Preforms 4 major functions: 1. to establish what persons will exercise the various forms of political authority -polticial power consisits of three major types a) legislative power -the power to make law or policy b)executive power -to administer that law c)judicial law- the power to settle questions about specific violations of law and to choose a suitable punishment from amount those permited in the releavant legislation for those found guilty -Rules 1.-will stimulate legislative power to be exercied by parliament, congress or assembly 2. it will dictate the the composition of that body and establish some basic ground rules for its functioning 3. the constitution will decide who the power will be in the hands of, a pm a president? 4. establish the broad outlines of a judicial system by stipulating what kind of courts the country will have and select judges 2. to privide an authoritative divison of power between national and regional governments in federal countries 3. to delineate the limits of governmental power -the constitution is supreme and the government is subordinate to it 4. to provide for an orderly way to make changes to it -having a number or provisons to make changes Constitutional forms -conventions- poltical rules-enforced by poltics -laws -judically enforceble rules -enforced by courts 1. constitutional laws-2 types 1. organic statues -statues (dealt with by an authoritative legislative body) in areas such as unemployment insurance, automobile traffic and healthcare -why make it an organic statue rather than a convention: a)some rules that describe institutions are to complex to not be written out b)provide a more effective means of producing and itroducing substantial innovations 2. entrenched constitutional laws -written and enforced by courts but they tend to be more comprehensive haivng a wide variety of different situations and there is more status and authority -entrenchment provides the most effective means of guaranteeing citizens rights and liberties -the perfered form -politicans cannot legally adopt measures that violate and entrenchment guaranteee 1. constitutional conventions -a polticial agreement enforced in a poltical arena -similar to a custom -things that people do such as shaking hands that arent rules but its just something you do -well established -dont like their conventions?-vote them out -A fundamental law of a political system -all other laws must conform to the constitution in terms of how they are made and of their substance -necessary for democratic politics-these is no civilized way of resolving conflicts -establishes order-allowing for peaceful settlement of differences Alternative is an anarchy -chaos/civil strife that exists in countries where state authorities have broken down -or totalitarianism -a set of rules that govern political life 3 forms-written documents, decision of the court (common law) or unwritten conventions -documents on accountability -embodies values of political life of the country -federalism, democracy, constitutionalism, rule of law, respect for minority rights Rules of a constitution deals with 2 sets of relations: 1) relationship of citizens and the state --the state passes laws on the behalf of the community --the democratic constitution will limit power -By identifying those freedoms and individual rights and in come cases group rights the state cannot infringe 2)distribution of functions and powers between different parts of the state -modern government is a complex mechanism -under 3 headings a) legislature (making the law) b)the executive (implementary the law) c) the judiciary (implementing the law) -divides authority within the Canadian state -respected bu all -everyone subject to it -it is the supreme law essential for democracy but it isn't democratic -the fundamental law of a political system -applied to everyday life -relationship between the citizen and the state --the distribution go power within the state -takes three forms -written documents, conventions, court decisions -difficult to change -divides law making powers between national government and regional governments --Constitution act of 1867 and 1982 + other minor and major ones such as: English Bill of rights 1688-role of the crown civil rights and constitutional order Act of settlement 1701 (Royal succession) Royal proclamation of 1763 (basis of aboriginal rights in Canada) Statue of Westminister 1931 --Gave all british dominions full legal powers unless they wanted Britain to retain control Constitutional conventions -practices that emerge overtime and are generally accepting of binding rules of the political system -the first two components of the constitutional law -which are enforceable by the courts where consitutional conventions are not functions: 1) Representation-politicians represent on the behalf of those who elected them -a constitution prescribes both the basis of political representation and the method by which representatives chosen a) rep by population "one person, one vote" -representation of the same amount of people b)representation by group-ethnic minority seats: women aboriginals -the electoral process 2) Power- -constitutional government -the state is empowered to act and that its actions may be backed up by the full weight of the public authority -exercise of the state of power --existence of the separate branches of government --federalism divides state power between different groups of public officials 3)Rights -something a person is entitled to -constitution establishes basic rights to choose their government, free speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion --legal rights --freedom from arbituary detention and unreasonable search (seizure) -recognize special status to particular groups -positive rights such as exemplifying equality of status of and equal rights and privileges National Purpose -recognition of distinct societies -Quebec nationalism -equal opportunities/reduction of economic disparities 1982 constitution -constitution prohibiting internation barriers to trade between provinces Rule of law-stable and predictable order in society -the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws. Constitution 1) individuals and the state 2) various institutions of government 3) national and regional government 4)what procedures must be followed to bring constitutional change Changing the constitution -A coup d'etat -coup -a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government. -wholesale replacement -consitutional amendments -constitutional change suggested by the PM -constitution act 1867 gave Ottawa a modest power to amend the constitution of Canada concerning the federal government, and the same with the provincial government -1982-4 procedures to ammend -provincial governments can take the "opting out" -Ottawa is required to provide "reasonable compensation" to any of these provinces 1. General -passed by the house of commons and senate -majority of provinces agree 2. unanimous consent-passed by house of commons/senate -passed by every provincial legislature 3. Ottawa and one or more provinces where the ammendment applies 4. Ottawa or a province acting alone -needs to be passed by the legislature Canadian constitution -a mixture of british and american regimes

Classical Conservatism

Based on Tradition -accepted human inequality (social Political and economic) -preservation of law/order -God and tradition

Libertarians

Believe that individuals should be allowed the largest possible margin of freedom in life, involving moral choices

Constitution act

Commits the federal government to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide comparable public services at comparable levels of taxation

Globalization

Connections to the world we live in -Argued that the world wide web may weaken national identities but in actuality they may reinforce -may have a limited impact upon national identities are extremely powerful -people willing to sacrafice own lives in the name of the nation -when society is challenged -it looks at the state for protection

Red Toryism

Conservatives who believe that the government has a responsibility to act as an agent for collective good and that goes beyond maintaining law and order

Parliament

Consists of the house of commons, senate and the queen -only the house of commons is democratic because the members of the senate are appointed by the queen Role Parliment adpots legislation and parliment determines whether a cabinet has the right to govern -when it adpots legislation, parliment is in most cases merely ratifying legislative decisions that have been made by the PM and cabinet -plays a role when no party has a majority in which parliament has to elect a government -primary role is to make the cabinet accountable for its actions to the public -provide a forum in which opposition memebers can criticize the government, offer constructive alternatives and pressure the government to change a bill or withdraw it Parlimentary calendar 1.planning the general election-new mps in the hoc, new parliment 2. prime minister decides when the new parliment will be convened GG will convene parliment with advice of PM -and they will begin the first session. when they want to end the session a process called prorogation begins -any legislative work done in that sesssion must be completed (sessions usually last a year)-sessions are divided into sittings -meetind whre the hoc is adjorned until the next sitting -each session begins with a throne speech -delivered to the members of both the house and senate in the senate chamber which is an outline of the legislative program that the government is proposing for parliament which is debated and voted on-a confidence vote - a vote the government must win in order to maintain the confidence of the house and stay in office, if they loose the confidence vote they resign or seek a new mandate for the electorate -when the pm decides the session is over he request that parliment be prologued and decides to seek a new mandate by the way of a general election -requests that the gg proclaim a dissolution of parliment -the cycle repeats itslef House of commons 338 mp's that represent one territorially based constituency know formally as an electoral district and informally as a riding based on population-some of the smaller provinces are over represented as each province recieves as many seats as it has in the senate MPs-those who serve in the cabinet are government memebrs while those who are not are private memebrs -those who form and support the government are Government Mp's and the other are opposition mps -the largest party of opposition becomes the official oppositon or her majestys loyal opposition-provide critisim for parliemnt -get special speaking privledges -sit in the first few rows facing parliment with the shadow cabinet in the backbenchers (The Shadow Cabinet is a feature of the Westminster system of government. It consists of a senior group of opposition spokespeople who, under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, form an alternative cabinet to that of the government, and whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the Cabinet.) -typically known as trained seals as they only vote how their leaders tell them -in the Front benches -backbenchers do have influence--1. weekly caucus meeting 2. hoc comittees -standing committees which focus on particular policies .3.private members bills Reform of HOC has focused on standing committees, privte memebrs bills (providing more time) and free votes parlimentary officers -the speaker mp elected -preside in debates and administration -usually an Mp of the governing party -only vote if it is necessary to break a tie -Clerk of the house-sits at a table in the middle of the floor and takes care of all paperwork -sergeant at arms -military figure that is responsbile for the security -Hansard-recording secretary -autitor general- review government spending -Parlimentary budget office-independent assesment on financial position -conflict of intrests and ethics officer-conflicts betwwen private interests as citizens and public duties as mps Buisness of HOC 1. Adoption of bills and private memeber bills and government bills -bill is adpoted after it passes three readings 1st reading -introduce bill 2nd reading -purpose and principles of bill 3rd reading- bill proceeds to the senate repeats stages where it has to pass all three in the senate. It is presented by the gg for royal assent --then the proclomation stage can become a binding law or statute 2. adoption of resoltuions -resolution expresses the opnion of the house -it does not result in a new law or policy -allows for public debate in issues -tests the publics reactions to a course of action it is considering 3. scrunity of public expenditure -2 stages a) before the expenditure -government must present estimates to whichever the houses standing comittees has jursdiction in that area -presents Mps with an oppertunity to examine any detail in relations to proposed gov spending b) after the fact:making sure public money has been spent wisely -assited by the auditor general 4.provision of information-in order to hold governments accountable for its work, mps must have access to relevant information --Question period Rule of procdure in HOC 1.parliment has codified basic regulations for the organization of buiness and conduct debates in a body of rules known as standing orders 1 rule is known as closure -which permits the gov to cut off debate if it decides that the opposition is taking too much time -only in extreme cases Senate :serve the chamber as a "sober second thought" -looking at a different perspective than the house of commons -stand up for property rights -pay attention to the less populus reigons of Canada -allocating senate seats to equality of reigons Senate reform: -changing the process of becomming a senator, revising the powers of the state, reforming the relationship between the house of commons and senate Monarch -weilds formidable powers -which party will be will be called upon to form government, when parliament will be dissolved and a new election held -the requirement of all legislation-federal and provincial -must recieve formal assent before it becomes a law -mostly symbolic and the role is ceremonial -power is exercised by the governor general and at the provincial level the lieutenant govenors --the power that resides formally in the monarchy is held by the crowns advisors, the privy council privy council -holds all memebrs of the present and past cabinet -but only present members of the cabinet exercise power and usually elected members of parliament -The head of the cabinet is the PM Parliment is comprised of the executive and legislative branches Executive: -deciding amongst those elected members of parliament MPs and appointed senators will become members of the government -the leader of the political party with te most seats in the house of commons has the right to try and form government that has the support of majority of the MPs -they choose the members of the cabinet -if the government looses its majority support in the house, tradition requires that is resign --election would be called or if another party could put together a government that would be supported by the majority of MPs, the governor general could call the leader of that party to try and form government --in order to govern the PM and cabinet require the confidence of the elected House of Commons --Responsibile government -if the government looses the conidence of the house-through either a defeat on an important piece of legislation or on a motion of non-confidence proposed by an opposition party -it looses the right to govern --this does not place great power in the hands of the MP, capable to mking or breaking governments due to party discipline Party discipline-Mps of a party vote as a unified bloc in the legislature -many of the times this had happened these had been minority governments Responsible government -suffuses the parlimentary process in the form of the rights of the legislature and the corresponding obligations of the government --the legislature has the right to scrutinize, debate an vote on policies proposed by the government -the legislature has the general right to question the government and to demand explanations for its actions and for those bureaucratic officials who act in the governments name -these rights are codified in the standing orders -the rules that govern parlimentary procedure Ministerial responsibility -the obligation of the cabinet minister to explain and defend the policies and actions carried out in his or her name -only peoples elected reps, legislatures who can be removed in a subsequent election should have the right to propose laws that effect the voters 2 fundamental principles of british parlimentary government -strong executive authority and democratic accountability, Parlimentary supremacy vs Constitutional supremacy Parlimentary supremacy-courts will not second guess the right of parliment to pass any sort of law on any subject --embodies the popular will and unpopular laws can be defeated by changing the government at the next election Law making powers are divided between national and regional governments Constitutional supremacy-replaced parliamentary supremacy -the constitution act 1982-charter applies both to federal and provincial governments and to all matters under their authority -not withstanding clause Judicial independence and the seperation of powers -based on consitution rather than law Constitution act 1982-how judges will be selected and removed, salaries "General court of appeal for Canada" -role of the judiciary is based on constitutional convention and statue law -judicial independence and the seperation of powers --Judicial independence -judges are free from any interference in their decision making --Seperation of powers-the special role of the judicicary -to interpret the law and what the consitution means when disputes arise -- the judiciary role from the parliament is not water tight-the abilty of the federal and provincial governmets to refer a resolution or draft legislation to the courts for a deicison on its constituionality -a practice called "reference" House of commons and the senate HOC-lower house and Senate is upper house -powers are roughly equal -HOC has superiority -money bills must be introduced in lower house -HOC-selection of the PM and other members of government -all bills must pass both houses before becoming a law

Majority Government

Governing party has a majority in the house of commons -few checks and balances on the power of the pm

Post Materialism

Human needs for belonging, self esteem and personal fulfillment

Secularism

Involves a decline in the belief that religion and religious authorities should be looked to for guidance about how to behave and evaluate behavior and an increase in social, cultural and political influence of authority not based on religion or faith

Classical Liberalism

Liberalism understood until the middle of the 20th century, freedom of religious choice and practice, free enterprise and free trade, freedom of expression in social politics

Constitution act of 1867

Main elements executive power legislative power provincial constitutions federal division of power judicial power -Previously called the British North American Act --created the dominion of Canada -not a state -canada remained subjects of the british crown Parlimentary democracy and constitutional monarchy -developed a quasi-federal system --dominated by Ottawa -Recognized linguistic and religious minorities -royal asent still necessary for a bill to become a law Finance: ottawa: Raise money under any system of taxation -authority to borrow money provinces: -direct taxation -authority to borrowing -any taxation vis a vis nonrenewable, natural resources, forestry and electoral energy -implied powers-spending powers union of provinces: the executive and legislative powers of the federal and provincial governemts -divison of powers -provincial constitutions -procedures for the admission of new provinces (organic statue) -consisted of a premeable (introduction stating why the acts are as follows) and 11 parts -such as canada is suppose to have a constitution similar to the UK -responsible government

The Canadian Party System

Party systems-the number and types of parties that the regime is likely to have given the various factors that influence parties: the electoral system, party finance rules, federalism, political culture multi or single party system Political Parties: 4 categories 1. Brokerage parties -large highly pragmatic parties that expose middle of the road ideologies and try and appeal to every region/person 2. ideological party: views that are outside the mainstream and are more concerendd with promoting those views 3. Single Issue parties -promoting a point of view than than win electoral success -relates to a single view 4. protest parties -believe that dominant forces in poltitical life systematically ignore them -use their vote to express protest - reform parties Canada -brokerage parties 1. Canadas system of responsible government places a premium on being on the government side of HOc --the nature of brokerage politics - National policy (1878-9)-the implementation of a protective tariff designed to promote the growth of manufacturing Ontario and Quebec, the encouragement of western settlement to opne up a market to protect this territory from american enroachment, the creation of transcontinental railroad to ship manufactured goods opostion was the clear grits of canada west and the rouges of canada east --both were supportive of patronage Parties are wary of ideological appeals to those of the electorate -Today many in the Canadian party system have attached a specific label to this type of flexible non ideology party --the brokerage party system -class voting is low because political parties are representatives of regional, religious and ethinic groupings rather than class -the lack of regional integration Brokerage theory:two fundamental claims about the dominant historical parties-- 1. they do not appeal to specific socio economic groups -they lack coheisve ideological vision 2. the parties are flexible and oppertunistic because this sort of behaviour is necessary to preserve the fragile unity of the nation brokerage parties consider parties to be dependent variables as their behaviour is shaped by society Minor parties in the brokerage system: the reform party -have occassionaly won seats to be apart of an oposition -influence political conversation and had an impact on the governing parties policies -the reform party is reigonal -it original ideasl included a prohibition of feilding the disenchantment of traditional parties -they attacked the othet parties for being unresponsive, unreliable and unaccountable --drove a wedge between the people and the political system -looked for a relaxation in the party system -their ideals were populist and conservative, advocating for radical change in the policy status quo -affected the brokerage party system by providing a much needed source of policy innovation, groading major parties to act on the concerns of reigons classes, or significant social groups they ahve traditionally ignored organization of political parties parties are organized by constituency level - each of Canadas major national parties are therefore organized at constituency level -which attract members into a party, raising money for the next election, choosing a candidate to run in the riding and sending members to the provincial and national conventions to debate policy ideas, elect party officials and help choose the party leader -each constituency has its own party association, with a constiution and an executive charged with responsibility for the associations on going buisness election strategy: the party leader usually plays the key role in providing campaign platform - defeat looks for a disorganization of the party -chosen over how much power they have over the party-have a leadership convention -and elect a leader 2 levels of party organization 1. parlimentary wing -parlimentary leader and the caucus 2. extra parlimentary wing -party president -national executive -cosnituency associations Financing Political Parties 1. contribution limits-people can only donate a certain amount to parties 2. Spending limits -persons standing for nomination as candidate for a party are limited to 20% of the spending limit for a candidate in an election campaign 3. Reimbursments- if a candidate wins at least 10 % of the vote in a riding and submits all their reposrts to elections canada, they are reimbursed up to 60% of their election expenses 4. tax credits for political contributions -persons donating to a polticial party are eligible for a tax credit 5. reporting requirments- parties and candiates must submit detailed reports of their donations and expenses -public document Challenges to federalism : -Quebec seperatism -western alientation -responsibility for the funding of healthcare, reigonal economic development, senate reform, constitutional reform when facing off the media: first ministers conference: where the premiers and federal prime minister answer questions -premiers have had their own council of the federation -vehicle in promoting the view that Ottawa should transfer more money to the provinces and allow them to decide for themsleves how it is spent asymetrical federalism -an approach in which different provinces could have somewhat different powers

Public Policy

Public policy is what governments do-the decisions they make, the money they raise and spend, the laws they pass etc They reform the Canadian constitution -"corruption is the condition in which political officials act not in the interests of the public but to advance their own private interests -we want our governments to advance public good Institutional forces -democratic regimes empower government to hold them accountable for their actions -government must seek to balance the demands for efficiency and accountability -great checks of government power -arranges the institutional forces to require a higher degree of consensus before action is possible -the principles of responsible government assure the government of continuation in office until the next electon as long as it can maintain the spport of majority of its members of the house of commons on major elements pf the governments agenda or on explicit votes of confidence -is Canadian government so efficient? -critisims for for government party 1. Canadians are no strangers to minority governments -governments cant afford to ignore the demands of other parties 2. Mp's do hew the party line, but they may feel the pressure from constituents eho disagree with governments proposal on a policy matter 3. governments can act effeciently in Canada because they effectively control parliament --they are held responsible for the legislation they pass 4. a law rammed through parliament may run afoul or other constitutional limits on government -the Charter protects many rights aginst infringment of laws and other forms of offical action -canada is very federal-one order of government cannot invade the jurisdiction of another The public service -assist the elected ministers in devising and implementing their policy priorities -Members of the public service proide sound, impartial, evidence based advice on what is the best way for government to proceed on a policy priority -once a gov has decided on a policy, the duty of the public service is to implement it and evaluate its preformance public policy in Canadian society -governments are contstrained by institutions -what effects what they do: 1. interest groups: 2 main varieties: a) special interest groups -hard economic interests b) public interest groups -no hard economic interests to defend -look at more general objectives Think tanks- akin to public interest groups in that they conduct and comission reseach and public policy proposals for consumption by media, government, scholars, and the general public The Media-crucial members in the policy process --their main contribution is agenda setting --manner in which an issue becomes a matter for public debate and public policy attention --shows viewers what to think about not what to think -distinction between public and private broadcasters Public -broadcast what is in public interest rather than what attracts profitable viewers private-support the market competition Voters- whos lives are deeply influenced by the government -people want generous public programs, low taxes, -policy communities-relevant government departments and agencies and intrest groups Ex. Healthcare -public healthcare insurance -medical attention is available based on their need for care, not their ability to pay -health is a provincial responsibility, federal covers military and aboriginal health -doctors carry enormous prestige -bulk of costs are covered by general tax revenues and insurance -healthcare insurance is funded primarily from general revenue -in a free market for healthcare, ones insurance and the premium one pays depend on a variety of factors such as illness history -healthcare system sometimes seen as socialistic -Hosptials as ususally private, non-profit coorperations that recieve bugets from provincial health parties -one must pay out of pocket or have private insurance for physiotherapy, dental care etc -older people use healthcare more then others, and vote for it the most

Elections

Purpose: to allow the people to choose their reps in the house of commons and indirectly the government of Canada -elections provide a legitimizing function -by participating in elections, voters agree to the outcomes of elections -Activity of Voting generates support for a system as a whole -elections help unite the country by forcing everyone to go through a common experience -elections provided broad policy guidelines for parties -electons help provide a sense of political efficacy to populace Free elections -any party/ individual may enter the race with minimal hurdles -insures for minimal interference with operation of election system -built in advantages to established parties through media coverage, leaders debate and election finance Consent of the loser -Majority rule is insufficent to meet demands of democratic legitimacy -loser of election outcome must see it as legitimate -especially important in Canadian system which produces produces population with less of the majority support -liberal democracies have three ways of ensuring losers consent 1. Democratic equality 2. not always the loser 3. national solidarity Method of election -Canada utilizes single member plurality system (SMP)Search Results In Canada, candidates are elected under the single member plurality electoral system (SMP). ... Instead, the candidate only needs to receive a relative majority (also called a plurality majority), meaning that s/he received more votes than any other candidate in the riding district. -often known as first past the post (FPTP) -Canada divided into 338 constituencies and each constituency elects one representative -simplest method -legally vote is for representative of local community, not individuals or parties -reality is that local candidate has minimal impact on outcome -the vote is for the rep of the local community, not individuals -not all votes equal a vote in nunavut is equal to 4 votes in ontario Strengths of SMP -Simple -Produces a clear winner and loser at the constituency level -allows for wholesale removal of government -produces a stable majority government which many argue is a good thing Weakness of SMP -distorts popular vote -seats won and percentage of popular vote are very weakly correlated -gives rise to perception of 'wasted vote' -less incentive to vote if you know your favored candidate can't win -may act as a barrier to election of women and minorities as it encourages parties to select least offensive candidate (educated white males) Proportional representation(PR) -an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them. -alternative to SMP -variety of different systems --Common types of PR -fear of weak governments -does not hold to scrutiny -more difficult to replace executives -coalition shifting instead of executive replacement -disporportionate power to smaller parties -does not eliminate phenomena to wasted votes -size of constituencies -the larger the constituency the lower the cutoff for entry to parliament -can give fringe parties excess power -party dominance and candidate selection -can lead to small number of people within party choosing candidates Electoral Reform -last election both LPC and NDP campagined on electoral reform -process of reform have been controversial and LPC is backing off and are looking to favor an alternative vote/instant run off voting

Political Parties

Roles: integrating citizens into political system developing policy elite recruitment organized government Structuring the vote interest aggregation -single issue organizations do not have the traction to mobilize the electorate -cross cutting cleavages -need to be able to reach compromise -historically established that closer party comes to power more moderate its policies become organizing public opinon -parties often defined by labels such as left/right liberal/conservatives -parties both represent and create cleavages in society -conservatives and liberals avoid ideological appeals in favor of centrist policies -parties do take positions -cannot waffle on everything -and language, religion been key issues dividing liberals and conservatives -conservaties historically leaned toward greater provincial power, liberal federal power

Reference Procedure

Source of some of the most important constitutional decisions such as: -reference to same sex marriage -succession to quebec -resolution to end the constitution -allows the government to skip the legal process -can take a decade or more) and directly ask the supreme court on constitutional issues

Charlotte Town Accord

The Charlottetown Accord (French: Accord de Charlottetown) was a package of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada, proposed by the Canadian federal and provincial governments in 1992. It was submitted to a public referendum on October 26 of that year, and was defeated.

Public Agenda

The matters that have been identified by opinion leaders in the media that warrant policy response whether to act or not -getting heard is not always a matter of money

Pluralism

recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political body, which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles.

women in politics

The suffragists -early womens movement -promoted temperance, educational reform, child labour laws, and public service reform -mothers pensions ,minimum wage laws for women, industrial saftey standards, prison and family law reform, public spending on education -Canadian suffregists relied on petitions to government and efforts to persuade public opinion -political rights might have been provided if a sufficient number of voters were for it and a poltical vehicle existed to articulate the movements agenda and provide feminist alternative movements Formed the basis for social feminism or maternal feminism 2. second wave of womens movement -one is not born, but rather becomes a women---gender role differences are not inherent -they are socially constructed -social and cultural norms are what made women no able to act freely -linked to pwer and realtions differences between men and women: 1. Verbal ability (women better) 2. mathematical ability (men better) 3. visual spatial ability (men btter) 4. personality -men are more agressive Mills -the subserviant condition came from a married womens lack of rights and the male as their master -men wanted to deny women of equal recognition and fair compensation for their labout In Canada -women are over 50% of the canadian population -their representation is poltics is very low -women are more likely to vote in every age under 65 Under representation in public life has 2 main levels 1, psychological -child bearing and house work are nesessary activities -becuase they are forms of unpaid labour nothing can show their value outside of that -limit women spatially (tied to physial demands of domestic routine) -emotionally (expressive caring functions that are associated with the homemaker) 2. status and profesional acheievements Women in politics phase 1: the contradictions of democracy and industrialization -many believed the subordination of women is natural -it is only customary and convienent to enslave others -many beleived this was agreed upon by both men and women -many believed giving rights to women would not support the intersts to society -what good could come about this? Phase 2: After the vote after women recieved the right to vote -men still dominated the poltical process -as women had unrealistic expectations -but all women needed was the vote to change what they wanted -the nature of early feminism -gender roles -the party system -CCF-NDP and two traditional parties, womens involement was around support services -womens auxilary -societal attitudes-did not change peoples ways of thinking about gender roles -womens liberation-got more into the workforce when birth control came out because of the decrease in family sizes -maternal feminism -feminists that women as mothers and caregivers had an important but distinctive role to play in society and in politics. It incorporates reform ideas from social feminism, and combines the concepts of maternalism and feminism. -secularism -first wave included religion to a great extent -second wave-goals and aspirations -weaker religous authourity -economic change -second wave-women in the labour force -single women provided cheap labour in manufacturing and service industries -reserve army of labour-their participation in the wage economy was limited -women could not take jobs held by men and outside employment was fine for single women until married -increase in the labour force was due to: -falling real family incomes -labour saving household appliances and higher female education attainment have produced feeling or boredom at home -as the real wages associated wth some female job increased Phase 3: the personal is political- -baby boom brought traditional gender roles -media portaying the typical family unit -once women achieved political rights, equality was no longer an issue -sexism -unconscious exceptance of gender roles -affirmative action -programs that provided real equality for the oppertunity of blacks Organizing for influence -National action committee for the status of women Achievement of modern feminists -legislative reform, changes in state decision making and improvements in the social/material conditions of women Laws: -opened boys sports open to girls -potential father does not have the veto to an abortion -no defense of implied consent to sexual assault exists under Canadian law -the payers of child support (mainly males) have to pay a certain amount based on their income -banning protests within a certain distance of abortion clinics -close to 2/3 of women are it typical female occupations such as teaching and nursing pay levels tend to be lower in some of these female dominated occupations -the full time female makes 82.4 % of what males make -women are likely to be poor than men

Power

a method of making people do what you want 1.Influence 2. Authority 3. Coercion

Political Identities

a sense of who we are and how we fit in the world and community

realignment election

a series of elections, produces a durable change in the parties base of support

Identity

a state of mind, a sense of belonging to a community defined by its language, ethnic character, religion, history -psychological and emotions functions --people that share and identify are more likely to feel comfortable with each other

totalitarianism

a system of government that supresses - all authority is in the hands of the state. In a totalitarian society, all control of public and private life are government run.

Feminism

the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men

ideology

the purpose of the government, how it should opperate and be organized, and what public policies should be implemented

Post Modernism

views the state as oppressive and a repressive institution -associates state with public authority --oppression -can be targeted at specific groups

the merit principle

whereby hiring and promotion decisions were expected to be based on such qualifications as relevant experience, acedemic degrees, professional credentials and certification and other attributions deemed to be relevant to the competent performance of the job --introduced in the civil service ammendment act 1908 -was apart of a larger process of professionalization involved in various provisions on the political activities of unelected state officials --bureaucrats should be able to serve whatever party formed the government, uninfluenced by political beliefs --premised on poltitics-administration dichotomy -only elected politicans should make decisions between competing values and interests, choices that would be embodied by laws Whistleblowing-bringing public attention to government actions or policies that she believed endangered public health or safetey based on her careful examination of facts --balance between free speech and loyalty Efficiency and accountability --positive state-a state that is active in attempting to shape society and influence its direction Ottawa Mandarins -1963 defeat of diefenbaker and the returning power of the liberal party whom diefenbaker so mistrusted began to decline crisis of the state- social and political commentators, particulary on the left --what appeard to be the inability or unwillingness of governments to finance the welfare state policies put in place over the preceding four decades Globalization -capacity, structure, the idea of the state -State Capacity -for the aministrative state to carry out many of its functions it must have the resources --this requires an adequate stream of revenue to cover costs of paying bureaucrats salaries and benefits, building and maintaining roads, funding for schools and hosptials etc. -consequences : governments have become more sensitive to demands of buisnesses whose activities create jobs and thereby contribute to state revenues in various ways from payroll taxes paid by employers and employees to the sales tax paid when workers make purchases -more sensitive to expectations of investors, often includes foreign governments and instiutional investors a category that has large pension funds who bind their bonds -unprecedented ease with which capital and jobs move around the globe is that, to maintain state capacity, governments have become less dependent on revenue generated by the direct taxation of buisnesses and more dependent revenue from taxation of individuals. Income taxes, state taxes, payroll taxes, have become important to state revenue -state structure: the privitization of some services and the sale of some state enterprises to private investors have occured in Canada as in many other countries as the state searches for infusions of money or seeks to offload costs -reduces public sectors unions

False Consciousness

(especially in Marxist theory) a way of thinking that prevents a person from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation.

Green Party

(left) Private enterprises and market forces, support for state measures, from taxation and regulation, to outright bans on certain behaviours, opposition to military solutions to internal conflicts, protecting the environment, conservation of natural habitats

Fundamental principals

-Federalism -democracy representative democracy does not mean majority rule directly-indirectly through constitution -constitution and the rule of law constitution granted special place respected by all laws apply to all constitution divides authority within Canadian state -respect for minorities human rights law, especially the charter, places limits on how legislatives can act ensures democracy does not turn into "mobocracy" As a principle existed long before the charter

Canadian Foreign Policy

-Canada -a "middle power" and prefers multi lateral as apposed to unilateral approaches -Canada supports stability in order to create space for trade -common thread in Canadian FP is belief that open markets bring piece -Canada willing to work with established international organizations or with ad hoc groups of countries -Canada under constant pressure to agree with American positions in international arena -American pressure --Gulf war 1 and 2 - did not participate due to UN mandate Pressures: -under Chretien--Canada moved from state security to human security ----focuses on: -illegal drug trade, refugees, weapons trade, international terror, environment -this reflects changing international environment --different methods of peace keeping --peace making not peace keeping -Canada at the forefront of many international movements -landmine band -international criminal court -responsibility to protect doctrine (R2P) -Canada/ US border has thickened since 9/11 --requirment of passports/ ID, racial profiling Defense policy Canada participated in ww2 and great war, korean war -introduced peace keeping during suez canal crisis -Participating in peacekeeping and UN operations

Brokerage Politics

-Canadas two dominant parties do not appeal to specific socio-economic (class) groups -they lack clear ideological vision on the left/right scale -with regards to federalism there is a difference -liberals are more centralist than conservatives -flexible to ensure national unity -system appears to change in 1990s with some claiming end of brokerage but system re-established itself in 2004 -if 2011 election results are stable may mean a realignment on a left-right axis NDP-more ideological than other parties -strong socialist caucus within it -Mulcair appears to have wanted to turn NDP into left leaning brokerage party -Mulcairs lost confidence in leadership even though NDP still at historic highs and for the first time competitive in many regions -believed that mulcair was not behaving like "true" NDP because: -once was a provincial liberal in Quebec - -Moved NDP rightward -wants to decentralize the party

Protection of Minorities

-Has been important since British Colonial Rule -the royal proclamation of 1763 -Quebec Act 1774-Catholics right in Quebec -Constitution act 1967-Minority religons education rights French/Englsih were to have official status in the parliament of Canada -Charter-Aboriginal rights Constitution 1) individuals and the state --rights/freedoms 2) various institutions of government --process of government 3) national and regional government --federalism 4)what procedures must be followed to bring constitutional change

Quebec Padlock law

-Many Canadians had beliefs but were not living up to those standards --entrenchment of the Canadian bill of rights would alter power of governments and it was clear in 1950s that some previous provinces would object --entrenched rights were required in the october crisis The Act made it illegal to "use [a house] or allow any person to make use of it to propagate Communism or Bolshevism by any means whatsoever" as well as the printing, publishing or distributing of "any newspaper, periodical, pamphlet, circular, document or writing, propagating Communism or Bolshevism." A violation of the Act subjected such property to being ordered closed by the Attorney General - "padlocked" - against any use whatsoever for a period of up to one year, and any person found guilty of involvement in prohibited media activities could be incarcerated for three to thirteen months.

Executive federalism

-concentrares power at the centre within both federal and provincial area -executive dominance over parliament with regard to intergovernmental relations at both federal and provincial levels but --Canada is the most centralized federation in the world

Autonomy and inclusion

-defining debate in Canadas territorial cleavages -Quebec demands autonomy -Western Alienation demands both Autonomy of provincial orders of government -greater inclusion-triple E senate -provincial say in selection of supreme court judges -initial slogan of reform party of Canada: "The West wants in"

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

-civil and human rights -the first time this had been recognized in Canada -but not the beggining of the rights regime which dates back to the glorious revoltuion and the english bil of rights 1688 -part of the constitution 1982 -impedes in law making/laws that go against the constitution -can interpret things into the legislation ---not withstanding clause -ensures parlimentary supremacy -In other words, the Notwithstanding clause only permits legislatures to protect themselves from judicial review in the context of certain Charter rights and freedoms. A legislature may make a law immune from judicial review in regard to the Charter's fundamental freedoms, legal rights, and equality rights. pro: it puts financial power where it belongs into the hands of elected reps who can be voted out if they mkae poor decisons con:these rights are too important to be left to politicans whose strategies focus on getting votes -the courts should protect the rights and freedoms of canadians -was intended to benefit women aboriginal visible minorities and immigrants Section 1 -guarantees freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed law can be demonstrable justified in a free and democratic society -confirms that the rights listed in the Charter are guaranteed. The section is also known as the reasonable limits clause or limitations clause, as it legally allows the government to limit an individual's Charter rights. limits--Judicial restraint --courts are limited to exersice self restrain which must be met under 3 criterion 1. it must be rationally connected to the governments objective 2. it should impair the rights in question as little as necessary to meet the governments objective -it should impair the rights in question as little as is necessary to meet the governments objective 3. the harm done to rights by a limitation must not exceed the good that it accomplishes Limitation: the not withstanding clause: -either parliament or a provincial legislature may expressly declare that a law shall operate even if it offends against section 2 or 7-15 of the charter (not apart of Ottawas original charter proposal -provides governments with constitutional escape hatch from much of the charter it rarely has effect) --must pass two thresholds to meet standards 1. Must have pressing or substantial importance/objective 2. Must be proportional a) must be rationally connected to an objective b)must be a minimal comparment of rights c)must be proportionatly an infringement and objective -the courts balancing charter guarantees: natural security community saftey and standard democratic and social values 1. Reverse Onus -requiring a defendant to prone his innocense of a charge has been unconsitutional 2. Evidence obtained by inappropriate means such as confession obtained without informing an accused person of his right to legal counsel/evidence gotten from a workplace computer without a warrant cannot be used to convict someone 3. cannot enter without a search warrant 4. search and seizure powers have been restricted 5. thousands were let free when due to a ruling of getting ruling delays as it imposed with being "tried within a reasonable time " -defamation -the impugning of someones character or actions in a manner that results in real damage being done to a persons reputation--including consequences as impairment of their ability to earn of learning --in a private law matter -the Stillman test -Affirmative Action -Aboriginal Treaty rights -the guarantee in the charter --any rights and freedoms shall not be constructed to abrogate or degrogate from any aboriginal rights a) any rights/ freedoms that have been recognized by the royal proclomation (1763) B)any rights or freedoms that now exist by the way of land claims agreements may be so required -Section 15-equlity rights 7-guarantee of life, liberty and security 3-democratic rights to vote the minority language rights Americanization of the charter: 1. elevate the importance of unelected judges and the courts giving them a much more prominent role in determining important policy matters 2. undermined the operation of parlimentary government in Canada by diminishing the authority of parliament to determine the law and to be held accountable to the people not the courts for this decision 3.generate more litigious society in which individuals/groups are more likely to base their claims/political ageuments on rights making compromise mere difficult and by passing such political process as elections.lobbying in preference to the courts -the Us stresses free speech and the test of whether hateful speech directed at the members of a group is protected by the first amendment is the probabilty that actual harm may be a result -how these rights are interpreted -has been used less than hoped Consequences-- 1000 charter cases per year in Canada -25 per year making it to the supreme court -over 50 federal laws challenged under the charter -courts have grown in strength vis a vis the elected legislatures -the October crisis -War measures act -Quebec Padlock law --failure of statue law to entrench rights promted the need to elevate rights to constitutional law -Courts now have the ability to hold law to the standards laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms regardless of who passed it and when it was passed --now courts are able to, if they decide the law breaches the charter, are authorized to give such remedy as the court decides is appropriate and just in the circumstances --usually it is section 52--give no force or effect --courts can "read in"---judicial activism-where they look at the spirit of the law -Can put in delay--give legislatures time to fix issues -instead of demolishing the whole idea -Ex. Adoption laws distinctions between fundamental/political freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights, language rights --constitution act of 1867--principles of common law made important differences in Canadian politics (1) many more reach for the judicial level of protecting rights 2) rights have become more secure Fundamental Freedoms -freedom of religion, belief, expression, the media, assembly and association --poltical liberties-common law Democratic Rights -Oppertunity to vote --constituion of 1867 Mobility Rights -Prohibits the provincial government from imposing tariffs on commodities coming from other provinces Legal Rights -procedural aspects of the law -rights to fair trial -no unreasonable search and seizure Equality Rights -the rule of law -everyone should be treated equally under the law Language Rights -French becoming an official language--constitution act 1867 -Anglophone/Francophone to have their children educated in their mother tongue Aboriginal Rights Judicial Power -the only instituton in our regime that has the power to decide unilatterally just how much power it will have -judicial restraint -when courts apply an entrenched bill of rights such as the charter, they should giver the benefit of the doubt to the legislature that enacted the law in question and should use their power to strike a law down only when the infringement of the right is clear -judicial activism -favours pushing the power of judicial review vigorously beyond the black and white issues and deep into the grey -judges pay have their own political agenda bill of rights -human rights -freedom of speech, assembly, religion, -legal rights, legal rights upon arrest -property rights -procedural rights remedies to oppositon of the charter 1 .courts can strike down a law 2. if a law is generally sound, but for the abscence of language that would fix a constituional flaw a court may add the right word to the law to solve the problem --"reading in" when a law fails to extrend protection of rights to those eho have legitimate constitutional claim 3. the judiciary can strike down a law but delay the effect of that declaration so as to allow the government to revise legislation 4. in many criminal cases in which evidence agaisnt an accused was collected by police in a manner that violated their rights, a court may exclude the evidence from trial Opposition of the charter -manitoba premier belived it gave the judiciary power to invalidate federal and provincial legislation -assert individual rights against collectivist legislation that forms the basis of Canadas welfare state -undemocratic effects-but canada is a liberal democracy meaning that the democratic principle of majority rule must always be tempered by a respect for the rights of the minority and democracy is only viable when it is accompanied by rights such as freedom of speech and association Political impact -courts decide things now that were previously decided by the government-- more power to judges

Party Leader

-dominant person in party s-it in parliament or provincial legislature before selected as a leader -select key positions within caucus -creates small groups of advisors that cut them off from the party as a whole -iron law of oligarchy notes that even in parties that utilize the OMOV Model, a small elite develops and the party members have little power -most parties have some sort of leadership review process that ensures that leaders maintain support of the party Political Leadership -3 basic models of selecting party leaders 1. Caucus Model-party leader selected by serving members of parliament -extremely closed -based on british traditions -fell by the wayside in 1919-liberal party first party in westminster system to abandon it 2. Convention Model -Party leader selected by delegates to a national convention -delegates come from a variety of sources -some represent riding asociations and come are elected/selected by the membership of them -others ex officio-Automatically granted voting rights due to place within party -often accused of being susceptible to backroom dealings and the old boys club 3.One member,one vote Canadians usually used caucus model but as parties democratized evolved to convention model to one member one vote model -party leader selected by membership at large -initiated in Canada by Anti Elitest reform party -hard for other parts not to follow -liberal party last to adopt and in the last leadership campaign adopted more of the US style "open system" with supporters having input as well -Appears to be more democratic but removes ability of elites within party to challenge the leader, centralizes power Regardless of how leaders are chosen, -it is a very powerful person within the party -opinons of leader often short hand for opinon of party overall -leaders have massive impact on the direction the party will take in an election -leaders have influence in how party behaves within the legislature (rewarding and punishing members)

identity

-geography and borders -identity crystalizes around the local state nation and community -national identities reinforced by the daily noise of life -things that are taken for granted in reality reinforce our national identity and place: Money, News, Schooling, Anthems -national identities-histories/myth niether static nor timeless -change overtime -forgetting history, or even getting history wrong is an essential factor in the formation of a nation -constructed in relation to others -defines what is important and what isnt -helps make sense of the world -provides conceptual shortcuts -individually presupposes it to society groups -no universal human identity -identities formed around lived experiences -group definitions are exclusively implied by others Geography important--difficult to feel solidarity with someone on the other side of the world -personal value of identities decrease as members increases Politics: -Canada presented as multicultural society -does multiculturalism undermine the solidarity necessary for national projects and redistribution--known as the "progressive dilemma" but equally applicable to know any project requiring national energies-including the nation itself -but Canada has been able to overcome this

Judicial Commission of Enquiry

-increasingly common for judges to head royal commissions -judges have great experience in organizing proceeding fair hearings -gives judges great political power -fear that could politicize judiciary

idealism

-liberal or constructivist model -the eradification of conflict and the achievment of peace that does not depend on a balance of military -believe they are potential for dipolmacy, multi lateral co-operation and structures of international governance to control and solve international conflicts and protect the security of nations -soft power -relies on the attractiveness of the of a nations values, process, and structures for representation, negotiation and leadership style that does not rely on threats and isolation -closely compared to nationalists and wary that canada is too close to the US

Judicial Interpretation of Constitution

-relates to federalism and the charter of rights and freedoms --two methods: -Specific Cases: Constitution comes up in trial -Reference Procedure -Government asks courts a question--question of the constitutionality on the law

Private Party Disputes

-the regulation between private citizens -do not have to go to court, can be through mediation or arbitration -federalism in Canada gives private law to provincial orders of government -Quebec based on civil code, rest of Canada on common law -civil code vs common law

The nation state

-the state should represent a nation -can lead to great amounts of internal division -has the political identity of a state but cultural identity of a nation

Internal Dialogue

-while the supreme courts have the power to overturn law, in reality gives direction to legislatures -law is bounced between supreme court (unelected) and legislatures (elected) -most law fits this category if objective of law constitutional -Dialouge can occur even if the government wins --there has been enough debate and issues for it to make it to the supreme court

The Role of courts

1. Adjudicating legal disputes between private parties 2. adjudicating cases in the public law 3. Judicial commissions of inquiry 4. Judicial review of the constitution

2011 election

1. conservatives 2. NDP 3. Liberal collapse of the BQ- NDP got more seats in Quebec These changes could have occured: 1. leadership 2. quebecers fatigue with the soverignists and their goal of quebec independence 1. issues appeared to take a back seat to the leaders and their percieved strenghts and shortcoming 2. the election results demonstrate that canada is a 40/60 country Conservatives won 40% of the popular vote liberals plus others 60%

Territorial government

A system of governments across Canada. Canada has 10 provinces and three territories. Like the federal government, each province and territory each has a parliamentary government with three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.

Quiet Revolution

1960 -political reform and social change -replaced the catholic church as the centre of authority in areas of social services and modernize them -preserve traditional values -Anti Duplessis -for the old order -divided into three main levels 1. federalists and those who advocated either special status or independence of quebec 2. the size and functions of the quebec state -provicnal state should play a bigger role in quebec society was not matched on the consensus on what the role should be 3. seperasts were divided on ideologicial lines -those from the parti quebeccois were liberal, or were more interested in overthrowing what they thought was a capitalist state Emerged state centre 1. identification of french Canada with the territory of quebec was a view shared by most nationalists Trudeau--liberals 1962 slogan "maitres chez nous" -masters in our own house" 2. caisse de depot et placement, hydro quebec, and the jursidictional terrain that the quebec government wrestled from Ottawa in terms of social policy, immigration and taxation

October crisis

1963 nationalism is Quebec took a violent turn with the (FLQ) Front de Liberation de Quebec -commited hundreds of acts of terror in Quebec including bombing/murders -October 1970 kidnapped the British Trade commisioner in Montreal and the Quebec minister of labour -Government of Quebec/Montreal requested military aid -Trudeau sent in an army to assist the police

Members of Parliament

308 members -elected into constituencies and ridings -can range from 20,000 to 200,000 -dominated by the party system -large disconnect between public perceptions of MP's and that MP's do --they have no job description --Fennos Paradox -- they are actually some of the hardest working people

Civil Code

A civil code is a systematic collection of laws designed to comprehensively deal with the core areas of private law such as for dealing with business and negligence lawsuits and practices. -staue based law -most common in the world -used in quebec only

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population (all eligible) are elected to represent -based on equality -rule of and by the people 1. Developmental 2. Communist 3. liberal 1986 Charter decision -respect for the inherent dignity including respect for the inherent dignity of every person -commit to equality and social justice -social and cultural diversity -respect for the identities of minority groups social and political institutions that enhance the opportunity for individuals and groups to participate in society -respect for the inherent dignity of every person -commitment to equality and social justice -social and and cultural diversity -respect for the identities of minority groups, social and political institutions that enhance the opportunity for individuals and groups to participate in society

nation

An institution with a historic territory or homeland -people share the same culture -system of ideas signs, associations, ways of behaving/communication -members of the nation recognizes them as such -the essence of a nation have many things in common and that they have forgotten many things -nations serve a certain political purpose -bring people together with a sense of equality -national identity necessary for creation of a modern state -modern state calls upon citizens to make sacrafices need something to bind the population together -most states have a multi nation -route to democratization

Western Alienation

Awareness that in the public realm those voices are heard and what counts as political discourse -Western Canada -not original parts in federation -Bc formed from old colonies unlike AB MB SK who were founded by NWT and Ruperts land -Prarie powers had different constitutional powers that the original members -Westerns have often thought they are being overshadowed by the nationalist movement in queuebc/distance from the "Ottawa Bubble" -what is it--sense of distrust toward Ottawa -sense of neglect from Ottawa -Strongest in BC and AB -Provincial politics practiced differently in the west than in the rest of Canada -In total suggests unique "Western" political Culture -west consists of one reigon --BC very distinct in own right-recognized recognized in veto act of 1996 -distinct provincial political systems in western Canada -Generally a more conservative society than eastern Canada with more room for social democracy=greater poltical polarization with weaker liberal party presense

Constitution act 1982

Charter of rights and freedoms aboriginal rights- holding a conference on aboriginal concerns abd declaration of rights of aboriginal equalization of regional disparities from the federal govenment -provinces whos wages were below the national average amending formulas -also gave each provincal/federal gov the right to ammend its own constitution definition of the canadian constitution -canada took control of its own constitution-britain invited canada to patriate -amending the old constitution -supreme law -judicial review -the right to be secure against unreasonable searches -defining constitutional terms and determing whether laws or actions taken be government are consistent with them -courts can decide if a legislative action is provincal or federal jurisdiction-- by determining the concrete meaning of abstract phases Quebec was not happy with this -met at meech lake for voicing quebecs concerns which would have declared quebec a distinct society and given them a veto in constitutional amendments -this required consent from all provinces --manitoba did not give consent --other minority groups were not willing to endorse this as all meech lake did was express the issues of quebec try two: Charolottetown accord which included other groups as well --such as aboriginal self government, a new senate to meet the demands to westeners for better representation in Ottawa --the federal government said they would not allow for parlimentary resolution unless voted on by majority of voters in a referendum--majoirty of voter voted no The Clarity Act (known as Bill C-20 before it became law) is legislation passed by the Parliament of Canada that established the conditions under which the Government of Canada would enter into negotiations that might lead to secession following such a vote by one of the provinces.

The Judiciary:

Courts of Canada -governed by: Hierarchy and Federalism -Hierarchy: courts organized in hierarchial manner -inferior courts hear minor matters, supreme courts are major issues -courts defer to decisions of higher courts -Judicial inquires-when the government wants a unbiased/independent part of the government wants a unbiased/independent part of the government looking into an issue -process of getting into the supreme court -reccomnded by the PM, MPS and a board from the old PM/parliament

First national governance

Disagreement on technology used to describe them -Aboriginal people -descendants of original inhabitants of north america -First Nation- a term that came to use in 1970s in place of indian which was seen as offensive -Indian-used as a legal term in Canada in constitution act and indian act -Inuit-Aboriginal in Northern Canada -Metis -Aboriginal/ European descent -Status indian- a person recognized under the indian act -band-a group recognized under the crown -Reserve a tract of land Constitutions of Canada recognizes 3 types of Native people -indians (first nations 50+ languages) -Metis 400,000 Mostly Urban -Inuit 45 000 53 communities Natives located in following locations Dispersed Populations -indian reservations spread out over Canada, some highly isolated higher in Western Canada -Inuit in NWT, Nunavet, Northern Quebec, labrador 1/3 of Canadas land mass -Urban natives-non status indians, metis, and status indians and inuit individuals -indians -only granted in full citizenship rights in 1960 federally Socio economic characteristics -native Canadians generally in a weaker social and economic position than other Canadians -higher unemployment, rates of crime and incarnation, substance abuse -lower level of education, poverty -lower life expectations Aboriginal Canadians -Aboriginal Nationalist alongside Quebec nationalism helps to establish Canada as multinational especially in Canada -Many aboriginal reject Canadian sovreignty over their lands and people -many communities claim collective ownership of land/other natural resources never surrendered to the crown -relationships of aboriginals is seen by many as not being with the government of Canada or Canadian constitution -rather a direct relationship with the crown -"treaty" instructive in understanding interpretation

Classical Socialism

Equality of Condition --supported a greater role for the state indirectly the economy, better working conditions, greater rights for working conditions, greater rights for working, public health care, unemployment insurance, income assistance, public pension, public education

Constitution on 1982

Equalization -Charter of rights and freedoms --placed reforms on the interference of the government -enables parliament to declare that a particular law can operate even if it violates the charter --under specific circumstances -

Regionalism

Regionalism -a politcal identity based on a shared sense of place. It may be linked to a variety of cultural, economic, institutional and historic factors that tend to distinguish the inhabitants of one region of a country form those of other regions -The party system- 2 dominant parties --liberals and conservatives -the canadian alliance --formally the reform party -Provincial Party system -parties compete to form a government at the provincial level in Canada which is different than the federal level -Economic Disparities-the gap between the real prosperity of richest/poorest provinces of Canada is growing narrower -the federal government transfers money to power provinces to narrow the gap within the country -intergovernmental conflict

Vertical Mosaic

Gender, ethnicity, race, family background excerpt significant downward pull on mobility -family background is most important --education occupation and income of parents --sets the likely hood of child's life

Minority Government

Governing party has the plurality but not the majority of seats in the house of commons (power of the legislature, vis a vis,executive increases --other factors increase: -control of bureaucracy -weakness/strength of opposition parities -can have enough power to take away the confidence of the house and oppose laws -royal prerogatives- powers that do not have to go through parliament

Vertical mosaic

John Porter- Canadas pluralistic society in which english Canadians dominated -influence, status, and wealth were disproportionate -this was inconsistent with the democratic values of openness, socio economic mobility, and equality

municipal government

In Canada, municipal government is a type of local council authority that provides local services, facilities, safety and infrastructure for communities. Canada has three levels of government; federal, provincial and municipal.

Government -executive

In Canada, the executive branch of government comprises of the Crown (the Head of State, represented in Canada by the Governor General), the Prime Minister (the Head of Government) and the Cabinet. -government is cabinet and supporting central institutions -core executive makes up the government (ministers PCO, Pmo, deputy ministries, ministerial political staff, central agencies, -Drawn from the legislature -can take different forms and relationship with legislature due to the electoral system Coalition, Minority and Majority Government

Equality

Individualism and the belief that opportunities to get ahead in life are open to those with energy, talent need to take advantage of them --liberal ideology -wealth is unequally divided --creating a gap in society

Class analysis

It implies that there is no universal or uniform social outlook, rather that there are fundamental conflicts that exist inherent to how society is currently organized. -false consciousness-a way of thinking that prevents a person from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation.

common Law

Judge made law -Based on precedence -inferior courts follow lead of superior courts -Common law marriage

Language Politics

New France was put under British control in 1763 -la revanche des berceaux -the high birth rate that enabled French Canada to remiain numerical strength against English Canada -vast majority of immigrants had and have chosen English as their adoptive language -other than quebec, canada has drastically decreasing numbers compared to english -Billingual belt-Monton, to NB to ontario the rate of assimilation is lower --have knowledge of both french and english -helping to expand french teaching it in schools with french immersion receptive bilinguals-people who are capable to responding to french communications but cannot initate conversation in french 60% of bilingual canadians live in quebec

War measures Act

Oct 16th Governor General invokes a war measures act -460 people were arrested/held without a charge -Act eliminated habeus corpus (protection against unlawful and arbitrary detention) and civil liberties -police could eliminate whoever they wanted and keep them detained with no access to trial or lawyers -only non wartime use--supported by majority of Canadians (English and French ) -Questions about its abuse (clearing beaches of hippies) -RCMP found to have commited illegal acts at this time -Demonstrates that rights are easily taken away when majority believes otherwise

Senate

The Senate, in concert with the House of Commons, plays an important role in the operation of Canada's government. In theory, any piece of government legislation must be approved by both the House of Commons and the Senate (as well as the Canadian Monarch) for it to become official law. 105 members -4 regions + Newfoundland and/territories -Ontario and Quebec 24 -NB and NS 10 -PEI 4 -BC alberta sask man 24 -Newfoundland 6 -territories/each -defers to the HofC -lack of democratic mandate means to exercises power-notable exceptions (mulroney/harper)

Bilingualism

Royal commission on bilingual and biculturalism -created in 1963 in response to the quiet revolution -reccommended many reforms aimed at protecting the rights of the francophone minority outside quebec and enhancing bilingualism in the federal gov Official language act 1969-made off of these reccomendations -as the federal policy of multiculturalism accounced in 1971 -changes: 2 forms 1. "Canadian symbolic order" -has been transformed since the 1960s -new flag, new song, new stamps, currency, neutralizing of language in names 2. the passage of the official langage act (1969) 1)public rights to be served in language of choice 2) the equitable representation of francophones and anglophones in the federal public service 3)the ability of public servants of both language groups to work in the language of their choice

Western Alienation

Semi Colonial Status-belief that resource rich west exploited by Central Canada -particularly felt that montreal and toronto are guilty of this -East-West policy introduced by fathers of confederation de-industrialized west -oil crisis of 1970 seemed to confirm this in Western minds when western oil forcibly soild to eastern markets at below the international value antipathy toward Quebec -West does not have the history of the french/english divide -west sees canada as a federation provinces not peoples-constitution structures are much less clear on that =while the west is larger than quebec poltitical voice of west, fractured between 4 provinces meaning no single voice for west against quebecs -structural factors that make quebec have more power Liberal weakness -west much more conservative than the east -more room for social democracy -liberals historically weak in west -western Canada more supposrtive of mixed healthcare and less supportive of gun registry which are core values in the east Alberta as a leader of Western Alienation -historically a de-facto one party state -most individualistic province -weakest collecitvist -heart of reform party of Canada which rose out of failure of malroney coalition of the west -parties take power for generations at a time began with liberals then united farmers then social credit then progresive conservatives -reform party was apart of a cycle but directed toward the federal level not provincial -electio of NDP only fouth turnover in governemnt since 1905

Responsible government

Seperation of powers -protecting freedom and to prevent the abuse of political power is to ensure that legislative/executive powers are assigned to seperate people/bodies Reformers -breakdown the power of the family compact-a small clique of wealthy citizens who contolled mich of the colony's political and economic life -governors unwilling to cooperate in the implementation of the reform program -responsible government -it makes the executive responsible for its actions to a democratically elected legislative body -makes them accountable to the house of commons -the executive is required to defend its actions in the hoc -the demands of those exercising power have to obtain approval from the hoc for their use of that power -meaningful democratic control of executive power -In popular use, responsible government refers to a government responsible to the people, not to the monarch or their representatives. In Canada, it technically means a government responsible to the representatives of the people — an executive or Cabinet collectively dependent on the votes of a majority in the elected legislature or Parliament. The key principle of responsibility is that a government needs the confidence of Parliament to create laws and taxation. It originated in British practice. Its transfer to British North America (BNA) gave the colonists control of their domestic affairs. Before its arrival in North America, colonial governors would just follow the advice (i.e., policies) of colonial ministers in Britain. Adoption of a number of rules 1. the first convention -the crown will only use its power on the advise of its ministers -the crown is a figurehead 2. the second convention-the crown appoints ministers -MPs 3. the third convention-the ministers will act together as a ministry head by the pm -each minister has a reponsibilty for all policy decsions made by members of the ministry -convention of collective responsibility 4. the fourth convention-the crown will appoint and maintain as ministers only people who have the confidence of the house -without it the responsible government wouldnt be democratic as the crown would appoint mps from some minor party whos views were of a small minority 5. fifth convention-when the ministry looses the confidence the pm must either resign or request elections -formation of a new gov where they have the confidence of the house -elections will resolve the problem by producing 1 of 2 results 1. the voters will take the side of the ministry and return a new coningent of mps who will be more favourable disposed to it 2. voters can take the side of the house and elect mps who support the ministry parlimentary government -the responsible government -makes the house the ultimate authority for legislative action Fusion of power-legislative and executive power in differnt hands Responsible gov"a regime in which the legislative and executive power are fused together in a cabinet tha us accountable to an assembly of the people elected as reps

Staatsvolk

Term used to describe people whose cultural norms the state is structured around o In Canada, this Canadians of British descent supplemented by immigration into Canada (outside Quebec) o Initial face of Canada was very British - neither French Canadians -term used to describe people whose cultural norms the statue is structured around --The people, the "nation" exercise their authority directly by means of elections and other forms of ballot -evidence is clear that staatsvolk within Canada extremely dominant -dominance still exists but not recognized by staatsvolk -Many English speaking Canadians do not realize they are advance specific cultural norms vis a vis the state-believe that they are acting in a value neutral context -cultural norms of staatsvolk seen as universal liberal norms--minorities often disagree with this neutrality -dominance allows acceptance to diversity -diversity does challenge dominance of staatsvolk deconstructing the staatsvolk -reshaped after 1982 constitution -English Canada became much more populist -especially in the west -became much less differentiated -historically been regionally fractured -western alientation, ontarios centrality and maritime rights movement all hallmarks of staatsvolk -dominant cultures (any culture) not static evolve over time -In Canada this had to do with divergence of experience with UK and diversity of immigrants -led to what some have reffered to as the other quiet revolution Other Quiet revolution: less noticed than in Quebe-1950-1970- Canada changed -new flag, anthem, constitution, less british -Canada redefined itself with certain myths -healthcare, peacekeeping -often done in opposition to the Us "the other" -weakest in the western world Canada did not dissipate historic western political phenomena known as "Western Alienation"

Quiet Revolution

The Quiet Revolution (French: Révolution tranquille) was a period of intense socio-political and socio-cultural change in the Canadian province of Québec, characterized by the effective secularization of society, the creation of a welfare state (état-providence), and realignment of politics into federalist and sovereignist factions and the eventual election of a pro-sovereignty provincial government in the 1976 election. The Quiet Revolution typically refers to the efforts made by the Liberal governments of Jean Lesage (elected in 1960) and Robert Bourassa (elected in 1970), though given the profound effect of the changes, most provincial governments since the early 1960s have maintained an orientation based on core concepts developed and implemented in that era. A primary change was an effort by the provincial government to take more direct control over the fields of health care and education, which had previously been in the hands of the Roman Catholic Church. It created ministries of Health and Education, expanded the public service, and made massive investments in the public education system and provincial infrastructure. The government further allowed unionization of the civil service. It took measures to increase Québécois control over the province's economy and nationalized electricity production and distribution and worked to establish the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan. Centered at laval University, liberal party of Quebec and the city of libre -Dupelissis died in 1959, liberals came to power in 1960s ushering the revolution -increased power in the Quebec state -wrestled for control over service from the church Beyond Revolution -Parti Quebecois founded by former liberal party of Quebec cabinet minister Rene Levesque -First elected in 1976 -Goal to create independent state -referendum in 1980/1995 -have formed government 1976-1985 and 1988-2003 Quebec -post quiet revolution -2011 election demonstrated demographic shifts-majority of governments can be formed with very weak representation from Quebec -NDP-Historic Breakdown -Bloc Quebecois decimated -4 seats loss of party status -new party-re align provinces from federal/seconist debate to focus on economic concerns -BQ and PQ in decline --both at the lowest levels of support -Rise of third parties provincially federally NDP Difficult to understand how quebec will play out in the next few electoral cycles

Cultural Hegemony

The ability of societies dominant class to get its values and beliefs excepted as conventional wisdom

Politics

The activity by which rival claims in the private realm are settled by public authorities -public realm claims is the private realm in which the state authority dosnt extend to -the exercise of power

Judiciary

The array of courts in Canada -governed by hierarchy and federalism 2 functions: 1. the adjudication of legal disputes between private parties 2. the adjudication of cases in public law Todays judges engage in two activities 1. the supervision of inquiries 2. commissions and judicial review of the constitution Judical review has magnified the importance of the judiciary far beyond anything the fathers of the confederation has expected 1. adudicating legal disputes between private parties -John Locke- settle their disputes in a peaceful, authoritative and impartial manner -reasonable human beings are willing to renounce their natural freedom and put themselves under the command of a political regime that will be able to solve political disputes before they become violent -encourage people to empoly private mechanisms to civil disputes -such as through negotiation, mediation and arbitration -private law --governs relationships between two or more private parties -property rights, contracts and torts are in the hands of the provincial government --in quebec it is called civil code -case would be like Jones vs Smith -common law -embodying private rights -a judge made law that as opposed to statuses adpoted by a legislative body -prededents -practice of decideing cases involving matter such as property or contracts on the basis of previous judicial decisons on the same point of law -stare decisis -to stand by what has been decided -judges are also required to respect any precedent that had been endorsed that are more superior 2. adjudicating cases in public law- creates and regulates relationships between private parties and the government -cause would sound like Russel vs the Queen (or any officer of the crown) -2 areas of public law: a. criminal law -the criminal code of canada -establishes ranges of punishment -the judge decides the specific sentence b. administrative law -legislation that does not include the application of criminal sanctions -traffic regulations, old age pension etc. 3. Judicial inquires -government askes judges to take charge of independent investigators and comissions looking into problematic areas of public policy or alleged misconduct in the public sector -governments look to the judiciary for many reasons 1. judges have professional experience in which parties are able to present evidence in a procedurally fair manor 2. judges have a reputation for impartiality 4. Judicial review of the constitution -judges noww decide or indecisvely influence a number of important questions of principle and policy -decided by the courts rather than the legislatures -reference procedure -a means of recieving a quick ruling of the constitutionality of proposed legislation -constitution has specific opinions on decison making for the supreme court The fundamental principles of the canadian judiciary 3 principles: 1. imparatiality -the right to fair trial before impartial tribunal -judges must be free from prejudice or against any party appearing before them -if this occurs: -there can be appeals to higher courts -when judges adjudicate disputes, they engage in two processes 1. decide the facts in dispute 2. determine what the law says about these situations 3. political neutrality -judges must keep silent about politcal matters or not display public preference for any particular polticial view -courts are conservative institutions -the judiciary applys the law, ,but dosnt make it 2.Judicial independence -the tribunal shall be independent. impartiallity is essentially a value of ethic that judges aspire to live up to as professionals with a commitment to professional ethics -a set of structures or rules that help judges live up to the principle of imparity -judges may only be removed if they are physicaly or mentally incapable of performing their duties or if they have engaged in activities that might bring the administration of justice into disrepute 3. Equality before the law -everyone is equal before the law -the law must be applied to everyone equally Hierarchy-courts organized in hierarchial manner -inferior courts hear minor matters superior courts mayors issues -courts defer to decision of higher court -judicial inquires -when the goverment wants a unbiased/independent part of the government looking into an issue Courts: Political cleavages Supreme court of Canada -final court of appeal -hears about 100 cases per year -jurisdiction over law of Canada -appeals not automatic --requires leave to appeal unless -a judge dissented at provincial court of appeal -the appeal court found the accused guilty after trial court found accused not guilty Judicial independence -areas in which judges may not be independent : class bias education bias professional tendencies dominant view of society overall supporters of the system Neutrality of Judges -calls for greater female representation -federalism represented 3 QUE 2 ONT 1 east/west Cleavages -politics about dividing resources fairly -no agreement on what is fair -cleavages are political fault lines which divide people within society -not merely a left/right axis Cleavages of Canada -language -most closely linked with Quebec -Quebec nationalism -fear of french language dying -competition between Quebec and Canada to who has responsibility to protect the french language -most cleavages cut across parties --most parties are non ideological -attempt to bring "big tent parties"-known as brokerage parties (encompasses many cleavages) -broad agreement between big 2- liberals and conservatives -The building of the welfare state continued this process of dual programs-Ottawa building the state in Canada, Quebec city building the state in Quebec -led to completely national visons and identities in Quebec -federalism -nationalism in Quebec and regionalism forced into Canadian politics -2 new forces -Bloc Quebecois and reform party of Canada -based on different perceptions of the role of federalism in Canada -ethnicity -mulitculturalism -a fact of Canadian life -immigrants societies of Canada- needs to be accomoding --who needs to change? -is Canada is an exception? -recognition of group rights date back t 1774 Quebec act -historic diversity between protestants and catholics/ English and French/ Aboriginal and Settler Canada lacks an external colonial experience-non white immigrants come from every part of the world -Canada extremely isolated -does not have a poorer neighbour -lack of Canadian identity Battle of Vimy ridge seen as the birth of a Canadian nation -different conceptions of Canada -between and within settlers -many settler societies -religion has not had a powerful change in diversity --Canada is still predominatly christian -shift from protestant to catholic -gender -class Canada's courts: hierarchy superior and inferior court system superior-murder cases, assualt etf. inferior-traffic integrated judicial system: a single system under the joint custody of the two levels of government -provincal governments are able to create and run whatever courts they deem necessary such as inferior courts 3rd type of court is federally created with federally appointed judges -federal courts hear specialized areas of federal law -tax court hears things on federal income, corperate tax, gst and employment insurance -supreme court -appeals from provincial courts of appeal from the federal court and the federal court of appeal -judicial committe of the privy council (JCPC) as their final court of appeal -decisions of provincial courts of appeal could be appaled to the jcpc rather than the supreme court Supreme court -9 judges appointed by the pm from the ranks of practicing lawyers and legal specialists 3 from qu -so they know the civil law system 1 atlantic canada 2west 3 ontario -hears 80 cases a year -majority and dissenting and concurring opinons -Judicial advisor board-JACS -appoints 2 memebrs of each JAC and chooses 4 based on reccomendations from the Canadian bar association

Formation of Government

We do not directly elect our government -citizens elect local members of parliament mp's 4 conventions for the formation of government 1. the responsibilty of choosing the gov must rest with the crown -the crown will select a pm who will nominate other memebers -the crown is suited for the gov 2. in appointing the pm -the crown chooses who will most likely have the confience of the hosue 3. the gov remains in power until the pm resigns 4. the pm must resign if their gov has lost the confidence of the house and has no prospects of winning the confidence of the newly elected house coalition-a formal sharing of the cabinet -the gg would hsve to appoint a pm the person they have designated as the leader of the coalition majority government -a situation in which the party that forms government has over half the seats in the house -caucus -group of mps that are members of that party Minority government -the situation where no single party controls the majority of seats in the house of commons US/Canada timing of elections cabinet appointments head of gov vs head of state -queen -pm party discipline

ideology

a belief on how society should be governed and how society should function -includes judgments on social economic relationships -people may not be aware of ideological learnings -describing people as "pragnatic" or non ideological may indicate one ideology is s o dominant not recognized -idealogue is someone who consciously thinks of self in this term and who commited to a certain interpretation of society -individuals have political prefrences societies have political culture -political culture is the sum of total values. characteristics, beliefs, and behaviour in society -it details what is poltical and can therefore what the state should be involved in -ideologies guide how to act on facts -deals with relative weight people ascribe to personal freedom, equality, social order and national prestige -these often at odds with each other

systemic Discrimination

discrimination that inheres tradition customary practices rules, institutions, that have affected the favoring of others -Choice --individual choice -Politics --unequal treatment usually linked to demand for change -shifts in values

Voting behaviour

durable or flexible partisans - the funnel of casuality model of voter choice (in notes) Least important: -ethnicity, religion, race, age, gender, class, class Medium: ideological learning, party identification most important: candidate evaluations, issue evaluations, campaign evaluations Voter participation -has been decreasing in western democracies: 2 reasons 1. younger citizens are less likely to vote 2. they vote at a lower rate than people their age in the past -people are more likely to vote as they grow older and establish roots, and be more invested -there are important life cycle effects -as you age you are more likely to vote -generational effects -different generations effects on declining voters-different generations view the act of voting differently -less likely to see it as a civil duty -generational difference not found amoung young university educated Other forms of politicla engagement- signing a petition searching for political information attending a public meeting choosing a product for ethical reasons contacting politicans participating in demonstration volunteering for poltical party Party finances -Election expenses act 1974-spending limits for individual candidates and candidates disclose the name of any contributer spending at least 100 dollars -candidates would be reimbursed for over half of their expenses if they stayed within the spending limit set by thr law and if they recieved 15% of the popular vote -was to weaken a parties dependence on special interests -tax credit to contributers -they can deduct from their taxable income a percentage of their donation to a registered party -paid access oppertunities -fundraising events for an admission price that could range from several thousand dollars, donors recieved the oppertunity to exchange views with party leaders who if the party was in power, were also memebrs of the government the major elements of campaign financing in Canada -donations by special interests -including corperations and trade unions were banned -individuals may donate up to 1200 in any year to a registered polticial party -parties recieved an annual subsidy for every vote they recieve -third parties -organizations other than registered poltical parties and their candidates may not spend more than 200,000 in total and no more than 4000 in a electoral district -candidates for the leadership of registered poltical parties must provide info on the identity of those who donate to their campaigns -they can contribute more than 1200

Representative Democracies

include decision making processes-provide opportunity for more citizen participation then just voting -plebiscites and referendums-direct votes of citzens on important public

State

includes government as a seat of legitimate authority in a territory -bureaucracy, judiciary, armed forces, internal police, structures of legislative assemblies/administration, public corporations, regulatory board, ideological apparatus (education) Involves 1. Territorial boundaries 2. institutions 3. power Political organization that has: 1. a differentiated set of institutions 2. Embodies centrality in the sense that political relations radiate to and from a center 3. Has a territorial demarcated are over which it exercises 4. Has some degree of authoritative, binding rule making, backed up by some organized physical force

Bill of Rights 1957

is a federal statute and bill of rights enacted by Parliament of Canada on August 10, 1960. It provides Canadians with certain quasi-constitutional rights at Canadian federal law in relation to other federal statutes. proposed statue requiring only the approval of the house of commons and the senate -1960 the Canadian bill of rights became a law -the bill of rights was a disappointed to civil libertarians --believed it wasn't concerned with human rights and fundamental freedoms

Purchasing Power Parties

is a theory which states that exchange rates between currencies are in equilibrium when their purchasing power is the same in each of the two countries. --although Canada is still very wealthy it has become poorer as a whole -depends on the country's material conditions -unemployment levels

Path dependency model

is an idea that tries to explain the continued use of a product or practice based on historical preference or use. This holds true even if newer, more efficient products or practices are available due to the previous commitment made.

Poverty

measured using statistics -when someone lives in "strained circumstances" -low income cut offs (LICO's)--the poverty line which depends on family, region of the country, and city population and spends 20% of their annual income on basic necessities

Minorities

minorities over the past few years have been from Asian countries where before they were all of european descent -Canada still remains dominantly christian 2/3s of Canadians are Catholic or protestant -but there are rising numbers of people with no religious affiliation Family-smaller, more single parent, more who choose not to marry -higher levels of same sex marriages Sexuality -higher levels of homosexuals and pro gay Disability -greater levels of disabled peoples -mental or physical disability -minorities continue to be under represented but as their numbers in education begin to rise, they are being better and better represented Canada is one of the highest ranking levels of diversity -deep diversity multiculturalism -integration without major or official accomodation

Social conservatives

opposition to same sex marriage, abortion, support for capital punishment, stiffer jail sentence, rejection of pluralism --corrosive to traditional values, religious beliefs,

governor general

our monarch by law -the same person who serves the british monarch -2 distinct positions -she is the queen of Canada -but it is impossible for her to reign in canada -has a rep for 5-7 years at a time -reccomended by the PM, many times it is a former politicians -has very extensive powers -must approve any bill passed by parliament -shall have certain offical advisors (Pm and cabinet) -guardian of responsible government and rep of the queen using their reserve powers (powers they reserve the right to use) -appointed by the PM Reserve rights- can name the pm is there is no clean winner -can dismiss a pm who attempts to govern without the confidence of the house -power to prorogue parliament or to dissolve parliament and call for an election -even though they have these powers, it was more ceremonial --represents the crown by 1. presiding over important political ceremonies (opening parliament) 2. head of armed forces

Bill 101 6969

passed under the parti Quebecois -language policy of quebec 1. French is established as the sole official language in quebec, subject to the bilingual requirements imposed on quebec courts and the provinces legislature in the constitution act 1867 -the requirement with buissnesses with more than 50 employees recieve francisation certificate as a condition of doing buisness in the province, the government seeks to increase the use of french as the working langauage of buissnesses in the province 3. provisions of bill 101 that initially excited the most controversy were those restricting access to english language schools in quebec -children chould enroll in an english school, if there parents were raised and educated in english, they had a sibling already ine lgihs school, parents were educated outside quebec, they were in english school when the law passed

Marxism

persuasive power of depression -the basis for the theory and practice of communism. -

meech Lake accord

pg 459The first part involved including a statement in the Constitution that Quebec was a distinct society in Canada. The second part dealt with various issues to increase provincial powers with regards to the federal government. All the provincial Premiers agreed and signed the proposals, resulting in the Meech Lake Accord. -Quebec seen as a distinct society -clause listing the fundamental characteristics of canada -rights to aboriginal self government -elected sentate with equal representation from provinces and special seats for aboriginal reps -Francophone veto in senate regarding bills affecting them -Quebec has 25% of seats in HOC -provinces exclusive jurisdiction -failed-- created a greater gap between the french and english

protest parties

political parties that have arisen our of dissatisfaction with the operation of brokerage politics in Canada ---Western Canada -inability for liberals/conservatives to represent regional interests -the reform party

:Loyalism

refers to an individual's allegiance toward an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during times of war and revolt.

interest groups/pressure groups

private associations that promote their interests by attempting to influence government rather than by nominating candidates and seeking responsibility for the management of the government Political factions: groups of citizens whose goals and behaviour are contrary to those of other groups or to the intrests of the community as a whole Group characteristics: religon, culture, ethnicity, gender, race -they seek to promote goals not shared by all members of society Some are more influential than others, through circumstances, resources, tactics Many argue that buisness interests are politically more influential than interest groups--the mobility of capital -the mobilty of capital gives rise to concern with buisness confidence --politicians need to care about buisness confidence because of the possibility that they will not be relected if buisnesses unwillingness to invest causes unemployment and falling incomes -a decline in the inestment or profit will be felt by the government revuenes dropping -buisness if more effected by broad political and economic trends than is able to affect them -a buisnesses ability to influence public policy is greatest when the public is worried about the long term strength of the economys ability to produce jobs and to increase incomes is taken for granted -buisness resource, organization and personal connections to policy makers are less important in determining whether buisness interests win or lose on a particular issue than is the nature of the opposition it faces and the openness of the political system to non buisness interests entrpreneurial politics -the ability of politicians and interest groups to identify issues around which popular support can be mobilized in oppositon to buisness interests -practiced outside the legislature by many non buisness interest groups including human rights, aboriginal, environmental etc Post-Pluralism -policy making generally involves the participation of a relatively limited set of state and societal actors --a policy community centered around a sub government Pluralism -group theory -an explanation of politics that sees organized interests as the central fact of political life --it locates the main causes of government action in the efforts and activities of voluntary associations , trade associations, labour unions , churches , outside the state -when it turns its attention to the role and the character and state in democratic societies, pluralist theory - 2 conclusions a) the state itself is viewed as a sort of group interest or as an assortment of different interests associated with various components of the state b) despite the possibility that the state many have interests of its own, its chief political function is to ratify the balance of group interests in society and to enforce the policies that embody this balance of power -the legislature referees the group struggle, ratifies the victories of the succesful coalition and records the terms of the surrenders, compromises and conquests in the form of statuses neo-pluralism - pluralism is accused of misunderstanding the true character of political power -focues on struggles between groups and the choices of governments Class analysis -interest groups do not disapear but their edges become blurred and they take a seat back to the class intrests these groups are argued to represent -from their perspective, are not basic units of society and political -classes are -organized groups are seen as barers of more fundamental interests or ideologies, namely those of classes and factions Corporation- a political structure characterized by the direct participation of organizations, representing buisnesses and labour in public policy making -deals with the interactions of organized buisnesses, organized labour, and state bureaucracy 3 characteristics- 1. the existence of peak associations for buisness and labour 2. the formal integration of buisness and labour into structures of state authority -these dont have acess to state policy makers -they have institutionalized access 3. ideology of social partnership Neo-institutionalizalism- a perspective on policy making that emphasizes the impact of structures and rule, formal and informal on political outcomes -formal and informal rules play a central role in in shaping the actions of individuals The diverse roots of neo-institutionalizalism -economics -rational choice theory -organization theory -federalism is influenced by a states needs of the organization they belong to -society-centered analysis -interior lives of interest groups: the factors responsible for for their creation ,maintenence, and capacity for concerted political action 4 categoeies of incentives that underlie the interior dynamics of interest groups 1. material incentives-tangible reward -money 2. specific solidarity incentives-intangible rewards -self esteem 3. purposive incentives -intangible rewards -satisfaction for contributing to a cause Policy networks-the nature of relationships between the key actors in a policy community - are the building blocks to neo-institutional approach -the state is a fragmented structure when it comes to policy maker -focuses on internal characteristics and external relationships Ingredients to interest group success 1. organization -sustained group interest --institutional grousps -described as highest levels of organization -organizational continuity -extensive knowledge of those sectors of government that affect their clients and easy communications with those sectors -stable membership -concrete the immediate objectives -overall goals of more importance than any particular objective 1. Resources -it helps to have money -have better footing -permenant staff costs -difference between monetary resources of major buisnesses interest groups and those of other organized intrests 1. members of buisness interest groups typically do not rely on their collective associations for political influence to the extent that the members of other interest groups do -corperations will act on their own in employing the servieces of a proffesional lobbyist firm that is expected to influece policy makers 2. stability -buisness groups have better financial footings -less subject to econmic recession and dont depend on government or charitable foundation funding they are not exposed to cutbacks and budget 3. the ability of buisness to and non buisness groups to raise money to deal with a crisis issue -the issue of free trade in the federal election continued -electoral influence -being able to swing a specific bloc of the vote -the size of a group memebership can be creditable , the status and wealth of memebers and their geographic distribution -capacity to inflict damage on the economy -the ability to " down tools", close businesses, scale back investment plans, refuse to purchase government bonds or in some other way to inflict harm on the economy or public finance can be a powerful group resource -economic blackmail-1. when a group such as teachers attempt to tie up the economy or some important public service by withholding labout the linkage between the behaviour and the social economic consequences are extremely visible- the special intrests stand in the way of public intrests 2. buissnesses are better than interest groups econonomically is pursuing their objects that have to do with culture --in a capitalist society the fundamental values that underpin the strength of buisness interests -the belief if private property, the importance of profits, the faith in markets as the best mechanism for generating and distributing wealth-lend legitimacy to the general intrests of buisneses -group cohesion -free rider problem -people beleive that they can get the group benefits without doing anything -safety in the shadows -iron trangle -the closed system of relations betwwen an interest group and the administrative agencies and congressional committees in hwich it routinely deals The impact of federalism on interest groups -- 1. the multiple crack hypothesis -the existence of two levels of government each with a range of taxing, spending and regulatory powers provide interest groups with oppertunities to seek from one government what they cannot get from the other 2. a federal constitution tends to weaken group influence by reducing the internal cohesion of organized interests --divided authority to make policy on matters that effect a groups interests will encourage it to adopt a federal form of organization strategies for influence -to target policy makers directly -the lobbying option-personal meeting with officials, briefs and exchanges of information -target public opinion in the expectation that policy makers will respond to indications of considerable popular support for a groups support for a group position -judicial action-a public challenge and an outcome that is likely to leave one side a winner and one a loser -tends to be an option of last resort generalizations are possible: -one of the keys to influence is being involved early in the policy making process when ideas are just being brought fourth -lobbying is the preffered strategy at this stage of the policy process. Confrontation and visibility are low preparation is high -groups that have well established members of a policy community, routinely consulted by the government officials will perfer a lobbying strategy -groups not well established within a policy community are more likely to rely on confrontation, media campaigns and other public strategies to get policy makers to pay attention and respond to the intrests they reprsent -where a groups interests are significatly effected by regulation, lobbying strategies that rely on research and technical information supplied to the bureaucratic officials doing the regualting will be most sucessful -the era of vested intersts rely on lobbying strategies has passed, lobbying remains important, but even groups enjoying regular high level acess to policy makers now ofern find lobbying to be not enough -a successful inflience strategy is expensive -whether it is lobbying (which involves hiring a professional government reations firm) aiming to influence piblic opinion (advertisments) or going to court. business groups tend to be better able to pay for these advocacy advertisiting -the purchase of newspaper, magazine, bilboard space to convey a message Lobbying- any form of direct or indirect communication with government that is designed to influence public policy 1. consultant lobbyists- work for various clients 2. corperate in house lobbyists- those who work for a single corperation and lobby federal officals as a significant part of their duties 3. organization in-house lobbyists -senior paid officers and other employees of organizations -buisness, labour, environmental, charitable whos activities would include federal officals

Bureaucracy

rule by unelected officials -all of the unelected officials of the public service whose employment is within the central administration of a government and who may wield power on behalf of the government Canadian bureaucracy -public service -crown corporations -agencies and tribunals bureaucracy is not a uniform structure - -the provision and administration of services to the public, often to narrow economic, social, or cultural clientele groups -the provision of services to other parts of the bureaucracy -the integration of policy in a particular feild or the generation of policy advice -the adjudication of applications and or the development and application of regulations -the disbursment of funds to group or individuals as with the the grants to artists and cultural organizations administed by the canada council -the production of a good or the ooperation of a service that is sold to buyers Central agencies as an alternative source of expert policy advice to cabinet have not undermined the fundamental basis of bureaucratic influence on policy -influence rests on the following factors -departments are repositories for a vast amount of information about current and past programs and about the day to sat details of their administration -the relationship of a department to the social or economic interests that benefit from the programs it administers is a source of departmental influence on policy -"ministers"- do not manage -their deputy ministers preform this job -most laws contain provisions delegating to bureaucrats the authority to interpret the general terms of the law in its application to actual cases --implemenation -applying the law to actual cases Representative Bureaucracy -the practice of hiring and promotion so that the composition of the bureaucracy reflects in fair proportion the representation of demographic pf demographic characteristics of society - in canada the concept and practice of representative bureaucracy were first applied to increase the share of francophones int he public service -now includes women, aboriginal people etc.

borders

shape internal links of communication -tie social networks to physical features -clearly divide "us" and "them" -allows communication networks to flourish -a pathway in which marks a common identity and common political identities -identities that do not flow outward from the centre rather they follow paths of hierarchial metropolies and hinterland --became nodes of information that flow -all aspects of human interaction --human interaction requires communication

Visibile Minorities

some immigrant workers being faced with discrimination --experience with language, culture barriers -how do we assess foreign barriers

Socio Economic Mobility

the ability of individuals, families and groups to move from one social or economic position to another the existence of hierarchy and arranged differences in society (income groups/occupations) -social mobility is high, movement up and down the social ladder is common -barriers into higher paying occupations, prestigous status groups or powerful elites is low -little intergenerational movement on the social ladder

The civil service

the civil service -the executive power of government in the crown -the crown exercises its executive power on the advise of a small number of servants (its ministers) who are accountable to the elected representatives of people -the crown nees many other servants to carry out executive tasks -known as the crowns "civil" servants -civil service has two branches- line departments: such as transport, healthcare, foreign affairs -services to the general public -central agencies -engage in the coordination of government policy rather than the delivery of services -ministerial responsibility- civil servants are accountable for the way in which they carry out duties --the minister who heads each department must be accountable to the house of commons for the conduct of each and every civil servant working in that department - have appropriate disciplinary and corrective measures be taken -they are not persoanlly accountable for mistakes made by others -deputy minister- a career civil servant who usually have advanced technical training and a good deal of civil service experience --the ministers chief advisor

Rule of Law

the foundation of the democratic government -everyone is subject to the law and no one is above the law -no public official can exercise any powers other than the law --if they do its up to the courts

Charter groups

the founding partners in Canadian enterprise -French speaking Catholic -English Speaking protestant

Realism

the world of geo politics is tameable but largely an ungovernable space in which self interests of the state and non state actors compete and where violent conflict and war are inevitable -stress the importance of hard power-including military capacity and economic sanctions as means for protection and national security and the advancement of national intrests -place their faith in the nation state, more limited strategic alliances, and the retention of hard power capacities in the means of advancing the countries best interests -more likely to lean towards contientalist -in how to best protect and promote canadas economic security interests -want to deepen relations with US

Social Capitalism

the norm of interpersonal trust, a sense of civic duty and belief that ones involvement in politics and in the life of the community matters -when social trust is low -government need to pay more for institutions

patronage

the practice of decision making about the distribution of public resources based on friendship, family, loyalty, in exchange for benefits of various sorts

Communitarianism

the real human freedom and dignity are possible only in the context of communal relations that allow the public recognition of group identities that are based on equal respects for these different identity groups -Canada- finding constitutional arrangements that enable different groups of Canadians to feel that they belong to Canada and are recognized as constituent elements of Canadian society --Quebec having a distinct community --constitutional acknowledgment of an aboriginal right to self government

False consciousness

a way of thinking that prevents a person from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation. -the inability of the subordinate class to see where their real interests lie -the subordinate class excepts the ideas of the dominant class

Public Law

-regulation of disputes between private citizens and the state -2 main areas--criminal law and administrative law 1) Criminal Code of Canada fundamental Law -outlines prohibited acts -gives ranges of punishments -comes from the federal parliament -judges given huge leeway in sentencing -provincial governments in charge of administration of justice and organization of courts --double jepordy -cant be charged for the same thing twice 2) Administrative Law -wide ranging-anything that involves regulation but its not criminal -often overseen by tribunals:ex co workers compensation board -stems from other orders of government -labour law -environmental law -human rights law

Bill of Rights 1680

-No royal interference with the law -no taxation by royal perogative -only civil courts not church courts -freedom to petition of the monarch without fear of retribution -no standing army during peace without consent from parliament -no interference in freedom to bear arms -no royal interference in election of parliament -freedom of speech in parliament -innocent until proven guilty

distinct society

-Quebec recongnized at the meech lake accord -Calgary declaration 1997 set out to explain why Quebec was distinct nation -primarily lingustic reasons Two nations theory :\ the report: one canada, dual societies.. believed that the constitution was based on 3 distinct factors which are opposed to them being a distinct society: 1. equality of all canadians no matter where they live 2. the equality of all cultures and orgins 3.the equality of ten provinces in Canada

The Cabinet

-Queens privy Council of Canada -given the rights to advise the gg in the exercise of their power-advice is equivalent to an order -the advice will be from a small set of privy councillors: those who have been nominated by the current pm - this privy counsellors make up the cabinet - a number of Mps will be appointed to be parlimentary secretaries to these ministers -they serve as an assistant Collective responsibility- the cabinet must function as a team to develop, implement, and take responsibilty for public policy. it isnt indivduals who need the confidence of the house, it is the whole cabinet. whenever minister have a new idea for new legislation in their area, their proposals must win the approval of the cabinet before it can be taken to parliament Ministers of state: ministers who do not head a ministry themselves but have responsibilty for a specific area of policy within a ministry headed by someone else each pm has the authority to organize the cabinet however they like - many different models have been used -the basic system is to divide the cabinets work and assign it to a number of smaller groups -the cabinet comittees -the super commitee-planning and priorities committee is chaired by the PM, this comittee is responsible for determining the broad lines of government policy -Trudeaus cabinet has nine comittees, the super committee has become the agenda and results committee -there are now new comittees focused on areas such as diversity and inclusion, world and public security, environment and climate change, growth and innovation and parliamentary affairs -the treasury board -a cabinet comittee that oversees personnel, administrative and expenditure management

democratic deposition

-Safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals against democratic deposition is constitutional limits on the power of the state over its citizens may be set or the political status of particular social groups may be entrenched in the informal/formal rules of politics ' -The term now implies tyrannical rule. Despotism can mean tyranny (dominance through threat of punishment and violence), or absolutism; or dictatorship (a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator, not restricted by a constitution, laws or opposition, etc.) -Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. -the best protection is tyranny of the majority

partisanship

-a loyal follower of a cause High partisanship-refers to a reasonable commitment to a set of political ideals that are related to the principles of the regime, as well as to the hope that these these ideals prevsil in a fair contest of ideas and argument Low partisanship-the retail, practical part of politics to the actions and opperations of that must be performed to get people into governemnt to achieve higher ideals political parties in liberal democratic regimes are best understood as attempts to serve both the ideal and the practical Pragmatic-dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Open Society

-a society in which individuals are free to speak their minds, associate with whom they wish, and move freely without having to notify or justify their movements to the public authorities

Political culture

-not everyone will share their ideology or some political prefrences -certain attitudes cluster in societies -how strongly these clusters can change from society to society -not all societies share political attitudes Left-Right Axis -left and right is ofter used to describe broader ideologies -do not indicate policy preferences on different issues -centre is relational to left and right-where majority of people in society fall -centre changes from society to society -Canadian centre on left of american politics (conservatives in Canada have more in common with American democrats) Left-Right -left and right conceptual shortcuts for conflicting belief systems -right is broadly individualistic welfare of society modern govenrment to intrusive at large -left is collectivist social and economic circumstance shape life outcomes free market unable to fairly regualte economic activity trust in ability of government and see it as a possitive force Key ideologies -three key ideologies shape Western thought -conservatism, liberalism and socialism -conservatism and liberalism should not be conflicted with political parties that share the same name-names refelct the same divisions of the 19th not 21st century -terms do not travel easily across societies Classical liberalism -as understood till 20th century -associated with freedom from the state -freedom from religion -freedom from expression -freedom from economic realtions -speaks for less governemnt -modern liberals are more supportive of groups and positive rights -modern liberals found in all canadian parties Canadian conservatism -emphasis on tradition and continunity -accepts inequality (social,political and economic) as natural part of human condition -hierarchy and order is good -change should not be radical rather slow and methological -remenants of this found in all parties Classical Socialism -equality of condition -role of the state in economic relations, greter worker righs and social programs -public healthcare, unemployment,insurance, public pensions and universal acess to education -radical egalitarianism as opposed to individualism -modern socialism -social democrats temper radical egalitarianism with the recognition that free markets necessary for economic advancement

Stillman Test

..when faced with an application for exclusion under s. 24(2), a court must assess and balance the effect of admitting the evidence on society's confidence in the justice system having regard to: 3 components: 1. Will admitting evidence effect the fairness of the trial 2. How serious was the charter violation? 3. What will be the impact on excluding the evidence be on the administration of justice Courts dismiss 45% of evidence where a rights violation has occured -question of whether the systems repute wukk be better served by the admission or exclusion of evidence and thus is necessary to consider that any disrupt may mean exclusion of evidence

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN)

1. Political rights/fundamental freedoms -freedom of association, assembly, expression, the media, conscience, religion,privacy --democratic rights -rights to vote and stand for public office -legal rights -fair and equal treatment -freedom from arbitrary arrest -freedom to a fair hearing -the right to legal counseling -the right to no cruel punishment Economic rights -the right to own property -the right to fair compensation -the right to withhold ones labour -freedom of contract Equality rights -equal protection under law -mental/physical ability, discrimination Language rights Social Rights Environmental rights

Rights and Freedoms: fall into a few categories

1. Political rights: Association, Assembly 2.Democratic rights: Vote/ stand for office 3. Legal rights: procedural rights, fair treatment 4. Economic rights: right to own property, fair compensation, 5. Equality rights: One cannot discriminate openly

visible minority

A visible minority is defined by the Canadian government as "persons, other than aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour". The term is used primarily as a demographic category by Statistics Canada, in connection with that country's Employment Equity policies.

Minor Parties

Canadian system favors two large parties, but also has allowed minor parties to exist -only minor parties with regional base are able to compete successfully --NDP in rural areas -mining towns, Bloc in Quebec, Greens on Vancouver island -provide a great deal of policy innovation within the system-

Prime Minister

Prime Minister -the powers are all based on constitutional convention -the gg offers advice on a pm and the other ministers -the cabinet is the centre of legislative and executive power -the fact that they control the membership of the cabinet give the pm alot of influence over all of the other members of that powerful body -few ministers are willing to resist a pm when they have a strong opinon -pm's chair the meetings of the cabinet and this function provides them with an important oppertunity to exercise their leadership- because the cabinet has to act as a team its decision has to be based on consensus Prime ministerial government -the pm with the assistance of the PMO and PCO has stepped into the gap -some of the pm power is given to them and the cabinet --"focus group" for the pm a pm's power has to do with how much power they have over their party - a number of factors 1. the process that was used to choose a party leader 2. the popularity with the voters

Multiculturalism

Quebec: les quebecois de souche -old stock quebecois interculturalism-Quebecers are more skeptical than their compatriots in the rest of the country -Interculturalism refers to support for cross-cultural dialogue and challenging self-segregation tendencies within cultures. -Quebecs variant of multiculturalism -involves a policy of reconcilliation and mutual adaptation on the part of both the dominant majority and minorities: both sides need to make concessions -this is different than mulitculturalism which does not assume a majority group and a need for concession -Quebec wants to preserve its cultural identity -multiculturalism is not a quebec value Multiculturalism -is about accomodating the different vales and practices of minorities- an obligation of tolerance of the majority

Representative democracies

a variety of democracies founded on the principle of elected officials represented by a group of people

Nation

a community with the certain characteristics that distinguish it from other communities --controversy over what does and does not belong in a nation

Cross border regions

a distinct grouping of neighboring and nearby provinces/states with the economic cultural instiutional linkages that create commonalities between members of its bi-national (US Canada) grouping and it set it apart from other regions 1. The west 2. Prarie-great plains 3. the great lakes 4. the east -atlantic

Affirmation action

an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination.

Ideology

an interpretive map for understanding the world

Political parties

are publicly organized groups of people who are motivated by some common set of political ideas and whose goal is to have their particular members win public office so that those ideas can be put into practice -we have political parties because they are useful and because there is no law to prohibit them -useful for voters -"the party system" is accused of limiting our choices and stifling debate -blamed for focusing political deliberation on partisan advantage rather than common good -A lone Mp in the hoc has little power -they are unlikely to accomplish much -Authoritarian and totalitarian forms of government usually move quickly to extinguish political opposition by means of outlawing opposition parties - they concentrate all powers in the hands of the state by means of imposing a one-party state Five functions: 1. parties supply us with political leader through national leadership conventions, our candidates by means of constituency elections and the vast number of campaign workers needed to run all the aspects of a modern election 2. parties raise money for their organizations and election campaigns -a private activity--regulated by election finance laws -it is worth considering that if we did not have political parties to raise much of the money for elections, the cost would have to be borne by the taxpayer 3. parties, identify, represent and balance the diverse interests of canadians -interests aggregation, is crucial to the healthy functioning of liberal democracy 4. attempting to aggregate interests and integrate them into a national whole, the the parties formulate and influence public policy -design their policies at policy convention 5. parties educate people about political life -help to restructute voters choice and persuade voters to vote for them John Miesel 7 functions of polticial parties 1. integrating citizens into the political system 2. developing policy 3. elite recruitment 4. organization of government 5. Structuring the vote 6. organizing public opinion -brokerage politics -stresses the ability for parties to accomodate diverse interests -a feat that requires flexibility in policy positions and ideological stance through language religion and reigon -co-operative commonwealth federation-ndp-an alliance of disgruntled farmers, centered canadian intellecutals and labour activists --class based definition of politics 7. intrest aggregation Major parties 1. Conservative Party -developed under John A Macdonald -put in place a national policy -of protection against the us, western expansion via the canadian pacific railway and strong central government -support foregin poliy that stresses the use of force as much as diploatic activity in international affairs 2. liberal party -wilfird laurier -has beed for free trade and provincal rights -national representation of the rights of the French Canadians -alternating its leadership between anglophones and francophones -strong national government -decentralize the federation -global free trade -advocates of the welfare state -gun control -same sex marriage 3. NDP 4. Bloc Quebecois 5. Green party -focuses on the environments Selecting party leaders 3 models 1. caucus model -party leaders are chosen by elected Mps 2. convention model-direct vote -5 day convention in which elected mps provincial legislators, senators, party official -choose amoungst 8 leaders

Identity

identity crystalizes around the local-state nation and community -borders -shape internal lines of communication -tie social networks to physical features -clearly divide "us" and "them" -allows communication networks to flourish

Multinationalism

if Canada multi/pluri national, then it follows that other nations exist besides Quebec -within Canada dominant nation is that one defies itself as Canadian -debate with Acedmic literature on what to call it-- "english Canada", "Rest of Canada" Canada outside Quebec" -should be noted that Canada multinationalism is both horizonally between naitons and vertically within individuals

Immigration

immigration to canada has become a part to the population and growth of canada -large change was the immigration law reform which discriminated agaisnt non european groups when immigrating to canada -immigration act 1967 eliminated racial discrimination and ethnic favouritism -has a points system based on: -looks more at family reunification and refugee status -buisness class immigrants who bring capital and enretreneurial skills -level of efficiency -years of formal education -years of work experience -age -having arranged employment based on arrival 4 main factors of discrimination that block people from getting jobs that they had in the country of orgin 1. language proficiency 2. cultural norms 3. work experience 4. credentials

Tyranny of the Majority

is used in discussing an inherent weakness in the system of pure direct democracy and majority rule. Tyranny of the majority involves a scenario in which a majority of an electorate places its own interests above, and at the expense and to the detriment of, those in the minority, where by that detriment constitutes active oppression comparable to that of a tyrant or despot.[1] Potentially, through tyranny of the majority, a disliked or unfavored ethnic, religious, political, or racial group may be deliberately targeted for oppression by the majority element acting through the democratic process.[2]

Conquest of 1759

left French as a second class language within quebec, the francophones were largely excluded from the colony's structure of power --but french did not assimilate 1. the policies of british colonial authorities of new france -French act 1774-they granted formal protection of the status of the roman catholic religion and civil code --got the leadership role of the clercial elite 2. french language -high fertility rates held their ground at 1/3 of the population in the 1950s 3. french Canadian nationalism guided by la surviance -survival against the pressures of the dominant culture that was aglicizing, protestant, materialistic, liberal democratic, and buisness oriented -catholic -french langauge -wanting to remain faithful to their roots -socio cultural characteristics but not by province -shut down at economic decision making "unholy alliance" --anglophone capital and the union nationale party -challenged the conservatism ideologies Rattragape-(catching up) -wanting to get the society of Quebec up to date Cité libre

Regime

the insititions of a country have an inner logic that ties them altogether into a coherent whole - a form of government and the underlying political principles that provides the legitimate basis for that forms of government -provides the answer to-who rules and why? 6 regimes 1. kingship 2. tyranny 3. aristocracy 4. oligarchy 5. polity -ruling for the common good 6. democracy Regime principles 1. Equality 2. Liberty Direct democracies -all of the citizens were directly involved in political decision making Parlimentary democracy: a more limited form of democracy -parliment is representative democracy in which decisions are made Representative democracy -indirect and limited Republican regime-the regime in which full and final authority is placed in the hands of peoples elected reps and officers liberal democracy-combines the political principle of liberty and democracy -there is a private sphere that is private that is private and all individuals have options to make choices for themselves Liberalism-being free to do whatever wished provided there is no law saying otherwise Liberal democracies -two schools of thought 1. natural rights -right to life, liberty, property 2. utilarianism -utility of promoting human happiness -rights are created within each regime in response to circumstances -harm principle -governments can not interfere with actions of individuals are not harming others a) our individal liberty is necessary b) such law will be valid only if it is necessary to prevent some direct harm to other human beings Canadian political equality of citizenship 2 things 1. we all have an equal rights to run for public office 2. whoever is elected/ appointed to political office must in some way be accountable to the people as a whole for their own actions and decisions 3 liberal democracy principles 1.protection of the private sphere 2. respect for minority rights 3. rule of law Constitutionalism -the idea that the regime itself must be ordered in acordance with an agreed upon rule that will be supreme

The electoral system

the party that wins the provincial or federal election doesnt always have the popular vote -based on single memeber constituency -one person is elected to represent the citizens of a particular geographic area called a constituency or riding -this person who gets th emost votes becomes the member of parliament for that riding -Pluality electoral system -the candidate with the most votes is elected into that rididng -it isnt always the popular vote -how well the person did in each riding proportional representation-the number of members elected by each party about coincides with its share of the popular vote -can promote a splintering of the party system -encourages the creation of minority parties that represent narrow interests -can produce unstable government -encourage ideological polarity and enable extremist parties to achieve representation in the legislature -The Winner takes all electoral system that exists in canada is without its own detractors -several consequences of Canadas party system and national unity that flow from the single member simple plurality system 1. it tends to produce more seats than votes for the majority party and for minority parties whose support is regionally concentrated 2. some parties give little or no support in certain regions when their candidates may regualte 15-30 percent of the popular vote 3. the parlimentary composition of a party will be less representative of the different reigons of the country than is that partys electoral support 4. minor parties whose appeal is to interests that are distributed widely across the country will recieve smaller percentage of seats than votes

globalization

the unprecedented integration of the world economics through trade, capital flow and internation through trade, capital flow, and satellite and computer based information techniques and migration in economics- techology-developments in transportation, telecommunications, manufacturing have made it profitable to assemble things in different countries --increased transportation flows of investment capital, leading to a greater integration of financial markets as banks and investment funds realized their oppertunities spilled into national borders -Canada-Us Free trade agreement -World trade organization WTO Culture, diseases Anti-globalization -Marx -market economies create competitive and mutually exclusive interests between those who control the means of producing and distributing wealth, (the capitalist class) and those who must make and sell their skills to make a living (working class) -as capitialism acheieves higher stages of development -an increasing polarization of class interests occurs as the gap separating the rich and poor grows -the saturation pf domestic market oppertunity drives capitalists in search of oppertunities abroad and thus other countries and populations are drawn into the cycle of expolitation of both workers and resources -which advanced capitalism depends on -governments and international organizations are unavoidably instruments for the repression of subordiante class interests and protection from captialism problems said to be widening the gap between the developed and undeveloped -aditional degreation of ecosystems -child labour -international conflicts -rise of global terrorism Canada problems -inequality between the rich and poor and the number of people living in poverty have increased due to globalization -economic globalization has increased the income gap between rich and poor countries -undermines indigenous cultures, producing broadly homogenous western values and lifestyles -globalization has undermined the resolve and the ability of governments to regulate buisness in the public interests to finance social safety nets and to act as a counterweight to markets and rampant individualism -state capacity -globalization has not produced a decline -globalization has increased the exposure of national economies, including Canadas, to developments abroad -rendering the competitiveness of industries and the well being of communities and workers more precarious than the past Canada and the US have the largest trading relationship in the world -70% of canadian exports go to the US -US has been the largest source of foreign trade investment -North American Free Trade agreement -between Canada, US and Mexico-a free trade zone that encompasses most industries and forms of investments -have dependence- -Canada-Us free trade agreenment and nafta -mulitlateralism -the resolution of international differences and conflicts through strucutres and processes that represent many states and give them a voice --such as the UN, Nato, WTO Potential for loosening ties between the two 1. globalization -Canada is less depenedent on the US -Canada has had a rise in trade with China, still most exports go to the US 2. American decline -decline of american power economically --due to rise in china -Canada has got free trade agreements with other countries now such as South Koras,EU india and south amerian coutnries 3. border security -border crossing is tetious since 9/11 -Canada-Us perimeter security agreement