Lesson 1: Governance

What is government? The people and institutions in place to run or govern a country, state, province or community.

How do governments differ from one another? Different government systems around the world are distinguished by the allocation of power and the types of rights and freedoms afforded to the citizens. Levels of power, in the case of governments, are often synonymous with levels of control.

Autocratic government A system of government run by a ruler with total power and authority over all aspects of life. This ruler is called a dictator and often has the support of the military. People living under authoritarian rule do not have individual rights and freedoms. (Libya, North Korea)

Oligarchic government A form of government system in which power rests with a small number of people, generally the people who are rich and more powerful than the others (due to bloodlines or wealth). People living under oligarchic rule have some rights and freedoms. (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, many African nations)

Democratic government A system of government in which power is retained by all the people. Citizens have access to power and they also have guaranteed rights and freedoms. (Canada, United States, Japan, Germany)

Canada’s Constitutional Monarchy Canada is a part of the British Commonwealth and is therefore ceremonially connected to the British Crown. A monarchy can be either a democracy or a dictatorship. The Queen of England is also Canada’s Queen.

Commonwealth Prince and Princess Princess Catherine and Prince William, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are Canada’s Prince and Princess. In the summer of 2011 they toured Canada as a part of their honeymoon!

Why is democracy important? Winston Churchill once remarked “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.” (1947) What do you think of this quote? Is democracy perfect? Can you think of a better form of government? Is democracy important? Why?

Canadian Government Facts In 1931 the Statute of Westminster was signed, allowing the Canadian government to make its own foreign policy decisions where previously Canada was obliged to follow the lead of Britain. In 1534, France’s King claimed the land of what was to become Canada. The Canadian government’s jurisdiction is over 9,900,000 square kilometres, the world’s second largest nation. Canada regularly scores in the top percentile in quality of life ratings among countries of the world. Canada has the world’s ninth biggest economy.