Secondary PowerPoint 1: Government and Democracy

What words come to mind when you hear the word GOVERNMENT?

Governments are made up of the people and institutions put in place to manage a country, nation, province or community.

The role of government Create and enforce laws Provide services Manage land and resources Make decisions for the benefit of the people living within its borders

Different types of government Governments from around the world differ from one another. They can be compared by considering the following questions: How are decisions made? How many people have access to power? c) What types of rights and freedoms are given to citizens?

Can you name two different types of government and a country that uses each system?

Autocracy A type of government where political power is concentrated in the hands of one person who rules without restriction People are not consulted on the decisions and affairs of the country No rule of law, the leader is supreme An autocracy can be a dictatorship or an absolute monarchy

Dictatorship The dictator exercises power through control of a mass movement, political party or the military Often comes to power through a military takeover (coup d’état) The dictator uses forceful control over its people There is a heavy military presence Political opposition is forbidden No concern for public opinion or for their preferences Restricted individual civil and political rights No independent media

Monarchy A monarch (king or queen) or royal family holds political power that is inherited and usually lasts until death There are two main types: In an absolute monarchy, a monarch (or dictator) retains full political power over a state and its people In a constitutional monarchy, power is more symbolic and it is limited by a constitution and decisions are made by an elected government

Democracy Power is shared by all citizens and a majority of the population is included in political decision-making Citizens elect political representatives through elections to make decisions on their behalf Citizens also have access to power, which means they can choose to run for political office Existence of rule of law (all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to laws that are fairly applied) Individual civil and political rights are protected (such as freedom of speech, religion and assembly)

What is the difference between an autocracy and a democracy?

Constitutional Monarchy The authority of the monarch is limited by a constitution A constitution includes the basic principles and laws of a nation or state that define the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people A constitutional monarchy has a democratically elected government with a government leader, while the monarch remains the head of state and performs ceremonial duties The government exercises rule of law

Republic A sovereign state, country or government without a monarch Democratically elected government holds all political power Government exercises power according to the rule of law Republics usually have a constitution

What are the similarities and differences between a constitutional monarchy and a republic?

Consensus Democracy Consensus refers to general or widespread agreement in decision-making Consensus democracy uses a consensus decision-making model to develop legislation and policies. The goal is to be more collaborative and inclusive by taking into account a broad range of opinions, as opposed to decisions made by majority rule In a consensus government, elected representatives do not belong to political party (e.g., Nunavut, Northwest Territories)

Government in Canada Canada’s system of government is a parliamentary democracy Elected members represent citizens in the federal parliament and provincial/territorial legislatures The political party with the most representatives forms government Canada is also a constitutional monarchy and the Queen is the head of state Every act of government is done in the name of the Queen The authority for every act comes from the Canadian people through the Constitution The Constitution of Canada is the highest legal ruling in the country The Constitution includes laws, decisions by judges, agreements between federal and provincial governments, traditions and civil and political rights

Constitution of Canada An 1867 Act of the British parliament, originally called the British North America Act, outlined Canada’s system of government In 1982 the Queen came to Canada to sign the Constitution Act, making it law and ensuring Canada’s legislative independence It also includes our civil and legal rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two Interesting Fact In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two copies of the Constitution to protest the United States performing cruise missile tests over Canada. The other copy got wet with rain the day Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the Queen signed it.

Debrief What does democracy mean to you? Are there some countries that call themselves democracies, when in reality they are not or do not abide by the principles? Whose role is it to ensure a democratic government acts responsibly? What does it mean if citizens do not participate in their democracy?