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Top ten things you need to know
Be sure to know pros and cons U.S. DEMOCRACY Top ten things you need to know
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1 How the US system is organized Executive Legislative Congress
President (head of state and government) Cabinet (Staff) How the US system is organized Executive House of Senate Representatives Legislative Congress Supreme Court Lower Courts Judicial
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HOW CANADA’S PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM IS ORGANIZED
Governor General (head of state) HOW CANADA’S PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM IS ORGANIZED PM and Cabinet (head of government) House of Commons Senate Parliament Supreme Court Lower Courts
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2 BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE: Federalism unitary
levels of government share powers, have own responsibilities Canada: local: municipal regional: provincial central: federal unitary Pluralism – to have many (ideas, political parties)
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BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE: 3 Patronage – gain special favors by supporting political party that becomes government Civil Servant – person who works for government but is not elected
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BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE: 4 Fixed date elections – elections held on designated days (versus periodic) eg the Presidential election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in a year divisible by four
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5 BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE: Partisanship – act of following party policy
Bipartisan – two parties Non-partisan – joint efforts, not political
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BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE: 6 Filibuster – deliberate delay of passage of bill through long speeches Due to party solidarity this is much less effective in Canada
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7 THE U.S. HAS Congressional –House of Representatives/ Senate
Republican – elected official (President) is head of state
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8 THE U.S. HAS Veto –ability to override a decision
the President can override a Congressional bill (Congress can override that veto with a 2/3 vote)
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THE OPPOSITE OF CANADA’S SYSTEM OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
9 THE OPPOSITE OF CANADA’S SYSTEM OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT Separation of Powers distinct powers for different branches of government = balance or control Check and Balances – prevent one level from controlling state
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BE SURE YOU KNOW THE CONTEXT
10 BE SURE YOU KNOW THE CONTEXT federal system versus federal government liberal ideals Liberal party republican system Republican party conservative ideals Conservative party
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