Test Review: Part 2 Naptime Continues

Political Spectrum p. 255 Left-Wing Beliefs –Welfare of all citizens –Big Government –Rights of all citizens to be protected fairly and equally Centrist Beliefs –Tradition is important, but don’t fear change –Medium Government –Protect rights of individuals Right-Wing Beliefs –Tradition is important, and change can be dangerous –Small Government (rely on business) –Protect society and its traditions

Specific Ideologies

Communism –Government should own property and control business –People work together for common good Socialism –Public should own and control business, for the benefit of all citizens

Specific Ideologies Liberalism –Government should provide services for citizens to improve minimum standard of living –Balances between social freedoms and protecting civil liberties Conservatism –Government should have little influence on business –Business should provide services for citizens

Specific Ideologies Fascism –National pride and loyalty more important than the individual –Strong military –Government controls of all aspects of life –Enforces traditions –Demands loyalty to a single leader and single culture

Canada’s Political Parties ?

BC’s Political Parties

Influencing Government Contact your MP, MLA, or municipal politician Letter to the Editor Petition Present a Brief Protest Court Pressure/Lobby Group

Influencing Government Pressure/Lobby Groups –Groups who seek to influence government policies Institutionalized Issue-Oriented –Lobbyist Mass Media –Spreads information and opinions

Civil Disobedience Intentionally breaking laws considered unjust Three Principles –Non-violence –Target laws that are seriously harmful –Take responsibility and face punishment

Legal System Judicial Branch –Interprets and administers the law –Courts and judges Rule of Law –fixed set of laws that applies to all people equally Legal Tradition –Based on British law, except Quebec civil law (French Code Napoléon)

Categories of Law Civil Law –Deals with relations between private parties, such as individuals and companies (contracts, property, etc.) Criminal Law –Deals with matters that affect society (assault, theft, vandalism, etc.) –Crimes are considered to be committed against the state, not individual victims

Provincial Courts Provinces are responsible for the administration of justice BC Court System –p. 275 –Appeal Court of BC –Supreme Court of BC Indictable offences –Provincial Court Summary offences

Supreme Court of Canada Highest court in Canada Rules on constitutional issues and is the final court of appeal for select criminal cases

Canadian Constitution Written Constitution Canadian Constitution Act (1982) –Pushed by PM Pierre Trudeau –Description of powers (rules for government and law-making) –Charter of Rights and Freedoms –Amending Formula Unwritten Constitution

Charter of Rights and Freedoms Freedoms –Freedom of conscience and religion –Freedom of thought and expression –Freedom of peaceful assembly –Freedom of association

Charter of Rights and Freedoms Rights –Democratic –Mobility –Legal –Equality –Language Enforcement –If rights denied, take to SC of Canada

Rights in Conflict Limiting Clause –rights and freedoms are not absolute –may be limited if considered “justifiable in a free and democratic society” by the SC of Canada Notwithstanding Clause –Loophole that allows provincial governments to pass laws that violate the Charter