Party solidarity
- requires that all party members vote with the party.
- Except when party leadership frees them from this obligation (free vote)
One-party State
A type of system where only one party forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candidates for election
Military Dictatorship
A form of governmet in which political power resides with the military leadership
Latin American, African and Middle Eastern Countries
Direct Democracy
- Operates on the belief that every citizen’s voice isimportant and necessary for the orderly and efficient operation of society.
- More practical for smaller groups
Responsible Government
Means that the executive branch is dependant on the direct/indirect support of elected members of the legislative branch
Single-member Constituency or, “First-past-the-post”
Candidates who pass a certain point in the race with the highest number of votes on each of their ridings win
Appropriation Bill
Authorizes government spending
Motion of Defence
Confidence in the government
Motion of non-confidence
Non-confidence in the government
Democracy
Power vested in the people
Indirect/Representative democracy
People decide issues through elected officials who represent them and make laws in their interests
Initiative
- A means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote and create legislation
- an example of direct democracy
Referendums or Plebiscites
All citizens may vote on whether to accept or reject a proposed piece of legislation
- a form of direct democracy
Executive branch
[Implements and enforces laws/policies.]
- The King
- The Governor General
- The Prime Minister
- The Cabinet
Legislative branch
[Develops laws through writing, debating and passing them. ]
- Senators
- House of Commons
- Government Party Members
- Opposing Parties
Recall
- Majority of voters may choose to remove an elected official or government from power.
- Achieved through recall elections and is initiated by petitions
- Example of direct democracy
Authoritianism
Form of government that vests authority in an elite group that may or may not rule the interests of the people
Oligarchy
Form of government in which political power rests with a small elite segment of society (often controlled by politically powerful families who pass on their influence to their children)
Consensus decision making
A group of individuals share ideas, solutions, and concerns to find a resolution to a problem that all members of the group can accept
Lobbying
An attempt to influence the direction of governmental policy by groups that represent a particular interest or perspective
Controlled participation
- A technique of dictatorship
- A controlled system to convince citizens to buy into a certain set of beliefs and ideologies
- Allows population to feel as if they’re contributing to the country
Public discontent
People are provided with an enemy on which they can safely unleash their frustrations
Proportional representation
In this system, citizens vote directly for a party, and then representatives are assigned based on the amount of popular support obtained
Judicial Branch
[To interpret, practice and asses laws once they receive Royal Assent]
- Supreme Court Judges
-Lower Court Judges
