Aware Citizen Flashcards
(83 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of ‘politics’?
A
How societies are governed; How public policy is developed; How power is distributed
2
Q
What is the definition of ‘civics’?
A
Rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship; Role of governments; How people can get involved
3
Q
What is the political thinking ideal: Political Significance?
A
Determined by the impact of the government on citizens and vice versa. Importance of government policies, issues, events, or developments
4
Q
What is the political thinking ideal: Objectives and Results?
A
The factors that lead to events, policies, decisions, and/or plans. Important to distinguish between intended and unintended results
5
Q
What is the political thinking ideal: Stability and Change?
A
Analysis of how and why political institutions and governments change over time or remain the same.
6
Q
What is the political thinking ideal: Political Perspective?
A
Analysis of beliefs and values of various groups.
7
Q
What is Authoritarian Decision Making?
A
one person or a small group holds all the power
8
Q
What is Democratic Decision Making?
A
all group members have a vote
9
Q
What is Collective/Consensus Decision Making?
A
group decision reached through discussion to which all members agree
10
Q
Describe Authoritarian Governments
A
One ruler (centralized power). Rule in ruler’s interest (sometimes people). By using military control, fear, one political party (no real democracy).
11
Q
Describe Democratic Governments
A
People elect representatives and a leader by majority vote. Rule in people’s interest. The government must be elected and follow the country’s constitution.
12
Q
What is Direct Democracy?
A
People vote directly on each issue rather than have representatives vote for them
13
Q
What is Representative Democracy?
A
People vote representatives into power who will make decisions on their behalf
14
Q
What is Constitutional Monarchy?
A
Type of democracy that supports the main points of a representative democracy, but still has a monarch as the official head of state (but doesn’t have real power)
15
Q
Describe Greece and Democracy
A
Importance of the “polis” - direct democracy
16
Q
Describe Roman Empire and Democracy
A
Concept of citizenship
17
Q
Describe Iroquois Confederacy and Democracy
A
Consensus decision making
18
Q
Describe Magna Carta and Democracy
A
King’s absolute power is limited by law
19
Q
Describe American Revolution and Democracy
A
“All Men are Created Equal”
20
Q
Describe French Revolution and Democracy
A
The people overthrow the absolute monarch and establish a republic; revolution spreads across Europe
21
Q
Describe Arab Spring and Democracy
A
uprisings against repressive regimes in many (Arab) countries
22
Q
Examples of who had to fight for the vote?
A
Women - 1919; Japanese and Chinese Canadians - 1948; Aboriginal People - 1960
23
Q
What are the elements of Democracy?
A
- Democratic decisions are made for the good of most people, most of the time
- Democracy emphasizes legal and political equality
- Democracy protects minorities
- Democracy encourages peace, respect, and tolerance in citizens
24
Q
What are obstacles to Democracy?
A
- Ethnic differences and conflicts
- A large gap between rich and poor
- A low literacy rate
25
What is citizenship?
Membership in a political community, such as a country, including rights, duties, and responsibilities
26
Who is eligible to be a Canadian Citizen?
- 18 years old (or older). Parents can apply on behalf of minor children
- A permanent resident lawfully admitted
- Someone who has lived in Canada for 3 of the last 5 years
- Someone who speaks English or French
- Pass the citizenship test
27
Who is NOT eligible to be a Canadian Citizen?
- if you have committed a crime in or outside of Canada (not eligible for a period of time)
- Time in prison or on parole does not count as time your have lived in Canada (or probation if convicted of a crime)
28
What kinds of questions are on the citizenship test?
- The responsibilities and privileges of Citizenship
- Canadian social and cultural history
- Canadian political history
- Canadian physical and political geography
29
Which three groups of people make up Canadians?
1. Aboriginal Peoples
2. Two founding peoples: French and English
3. Immigrants
30
What is the purpose of the Assembly of First Nations?
They seek to resolve some of the issues facing Aboriginal peoples in Canada today. (Despite equal rights - still tend to have a lower standard of living than the rest of Canadians)
31
How do we see French language, religious, and legal rights being upheld?
- Bilingual money (1937)
- Translation of debates in the House of Commons (1959)
- Bilingual labelling on products (1974)
- Official languages Act (1969/1988)
- Unique legal system
32
What did Bill 101 (Language rights) accomplish?
Made French the official language in Quebec and required immigrant children in Quebec to attend French schools.
33
What is the Goal of Bill 101 (Language rights)?
To protect a minority language in an English dominated country/continent
34
Who were the United Empire Loyalists?
English settlers that came from present day United States during the American Revolution. They modelled their spaces after British systems - parliament, judicial system, holidays, etc.
35
What is the importance of immigration on Canada?
- it accounts for more than 60% of Canada's population growth
- one in five Canadians are a member of a visible minority
36
What does Canada's official policy of multiculturalism do?
It ensures that all citizens can keep their identity, heritage, and language once in Canada
37
What are some examples of basic responsibilities of Canadians?
- observing the law
- taking responsibility for oneself and ones family
- serving on a jury
- voting in elections
- helping others in community
- protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment
38
What are the fundamental freedoms of Canadians? (4)
- Freedom of conscience and religion
- Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression (including press and media)
- Freedom of peaceful assembly
- Freedom of association
39
What are the rights found within the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
- Democratic Rights
- Mobility Rights
- Legal Rights
- Equality Rights
- Official Languages of Canada
- Minority Language Education Rights
40
What are the boy scout qualities of leadership?
- trustworthy
- loyal
- helpful
- friendly
- courteous
- kind
- obedient
- cheerful
- thrifty
- brave
- clean
- reverent
41
What is an autocratic style of leadership?
-one person or a small group tells others what to do
42
When is an autocratic leadership style effective?
When time is limited, individuals lack skill/knowledge, or the group does not know each other (they are shy, etc)
43
When is an autocratic leadership style ineffective?
When the goal is to develop as a team, when individuals have some skill/knowledge, when the group wants spontaneity, when individuals can think for themselves
44
What is a democratic style of leadership?
- group members are involved in planning and carrying out activities (everybody may work on their own projects, but they are geared towards a similar goal). The leader asks before they tell - What do you think about this? Is this ok?
45
When is a democratic leadership style effective?
When time is available, the group is motivated, there is some degree of skill/knowledge in the group
46
When is a democratic leadership style ineffective?
When the group is unmotivated, when the group lacks skill/knowledge, when there is conflict within the group
47
What is a laissez-faire style of leadership?
A leadership style where there is no interference with people's actions
48
When is a laissez-faire leadership style effective?
When there is a high degree of skill and motivation, there is a sense of teamwork, and routine is familiar
49
When is a laissez-faire leadership style ineffective?
When there is no sense of team or cooperation, when there is low degree of skill/knowledge, when the team cannot think for themselves
50
What is the definition of 'ideology'?
A set of beliefs and values about how society should be organized
51
Describe 'democracy' as an ideology.
Any form of government in which political power is exercised by ALL CITIZENS, either directly or through their elected representatives
52
Describe 'autocracy' as an ideology.
A form of government in which political power is controlled by ONE individual such as a monarch, dictator, emperor, etc.
53
What is a monarchy?
Rule by kings, queens, princes, princesses (other names). Leaders gain their power because their parents were rulers too. May be absolute - monarchy has all the power, or a constitutional monarchy where they share power with elected officials.
54
What is a dictatorship?
Power is not inherited, but is acquired by force (military or political). Dictators have absolute control over the lives of their citizens and usually people are not able to voice their negative opinions.
55
What is an 'oligarchy'?
Rule by few - Power can be based on several things including military strength and family power
56
What is a 'theocracy'?
Ruled by a god or higher power. Leaders are usually religious leaders and religious law is used to settle disputes.
57
What is 'anarchy'?
No government at all
58
Describe 'feudalism' as an ideology.
Society is formed around the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.
59
Describe 'socialism' as an ideology.
Society is characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy.
60
Describe 'fascism' as an ideology.
Society is governed by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc. and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
61
Describe 'communism' as an ideology.
Society is characterized by all property being publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
62
Describe 'capitalism' as an ideology.
Society is characterized by their country's trade and industry being controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
63
Describe 'totalitarianism' as an ideology.
Society is characterized by the state holding total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible.
64
What does 'pluralist society' mean?
Canada allows different beliefs and values (ideologies) to exist within the country.
65
What 5 things do you need to do to be a Global Citizen?
- Appreciate that the peoples and countries of the world are all interconnected
- Understand that poverty, pollution, epidemics, etc. require international cooperation
- - Respect diversity and the human rights of all peoples
- Realize that Canada is not the centre of the universe
- Take action to make the world a more just place
66
What is the function of the United Nations?
- To Maintain world peace
- To develop good relations between countries
- To promote cooperation in solving the world's problems
67
What are the two main bodies of the United Nations?
- General Assembly and Security Council
68
Define Human Rights
Universal declaration stating that every human being has the right to life, liberty, security of person, and an adequate standard of living (food, clothing, shelter, medical care, social security)
69
What did the Geneva Convention decide?
(1864) Agreement between countries so that the Red Cross could help soldiers that had been wounded in war / in a conflict zone and not be attacked.
70
Define NGO.
Non-Governmental Organization
71
Who is John Humphrey?
He was a law professor at McGill who helped write the Declaration of Human Rights.
72
Do conventions that create rules around Human Rights work?
Sometimes - they are not always enforceable, but they bring media attention and other countries can put pressure on non-compliant countries.
73
Where has the Human Rights Declaration failed?
- Rwandan Genocide (1994)
- Darfur, Sudan (2003-present)
Etc.
74
Who do the International Criminal Courts (ICC) work with?
National courts. They only intervene when countries are unwilling or unable to investigate.
75
How is Canada a leader in global Human Rights?
- Key role in founding the UN
- Peacekeeping missions for the UN
- Pressures other countries
- Created International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development
- Global landmine treaty
76
What is 'GAC'?
Global Affairs Canada. They manage embassies and distribute financial aid around the world (among other things)
77
How can Canada make a difference in world poverty through foreign policy?
- By investing in education and industry
- By adopting fairer trade policies
- By forgiving debts owed by developing countries
78
How are NGOs funded?
They are not-for-profit and operate independently of governments - they are funded through donations and support from GAC.
79
How can citizens intervene in human rights conflicts?
- Sanctions (stop trade, aid, etc)
| - Peacekeeping
80
What are some of the goals of terrorism?
- Overthrowing a government
- Achieving political independence
- Expelling oppressive businesses
- Pursuing religious goals
81
What is the UNFCCC?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
There are 174 members in on the agreement which allows each country to determine, plan, and report on their own contribution to mitigate global warming. (2017)
82
What are the Sustainable Development Goals? (In theory)
The blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all
83
What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (you don't need to have the list memorized - just know the basics)
- No poverty
- No hunger
- Good health
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Renewable Energy
- Good Jobs and Economic Growth
- Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption
- Climate Action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace and Justice
- Partnerships for the goals
