Political Dimensions Flashcards
(52 cards)
Popular Sovereignty
The government is based on the consent of the people.
The authority of the government comes from the people.
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Functions
Executive: Carries out laws. Monarch, PM, Cabinet.
Legislative: Makes laws. Monarch, House of Commons, Senate.
Judicial: Evaluates laws. Supreme Court, Provincial/Territorial Courts.
Representation by Population
A political system in which seats in a legislature are allocated on the basis of population.
Election
Formal and organized choice by a vote of person for a political office or other position.
Suffrage/Enfranchisement
The right to vote in political elections
First Past The Post
Single member plurality.
The highest number (but not necessarily a majority) of votes is elected.
Proportional Representation
The electoral system is in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.
Caucus
People in a political party decide who will run for office or attend a convention.
Adversarial System
Two advocates represent their parties’ case or position before an impartial person or group fo people. Judge or jury.
Responsible Government
Government that depends on the support of an elected assembly rather than a monarch or their representatives.
Exec responsible to the legislative branch.
Majority Rule
The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.
Parliamentary Democracy
People only vote for members of parliament. The majority party or ruling coalition appoint a Prime Minister.
Presidential (congressional) Democracy
People vote on who should represent them in the legislature as well as a president to rule the country. Congress and the president can be from two different political parties.
Federalism
Mode of government in which powers are divided between regional governments and general government.
Checks and Balances
Principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power.
Veto
A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
Fundamental Freedoms
Freedom of conscience, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Dissent
Expressing a different opinion against someone.
Universal Rights
Rights and freedoms of all human beings declared by the UN.
Special Interests/Lobbying
Form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by the government by individuals or more usually by lobby groups.
Key Attributes of a Politically Liberal Society
Constitutions
multiple parties
no terror
checks and balances
public officers are not directly appointed by the ruling political group
resistance to government decisions is allowed
decisions are made by the significant involvement of the affected groups
freedom of the press.
Challenges for Democracies
Requires well-informed voters. Focuses solely on the needs of the majority. encourages herd mentality, time inefficient. Elections can be costly.
Authoritarianism
A form of government that vests authority In an elite group that may or may not rule in the interests of the people and strict obedience enforced.
One dude over the government.
Dictatorship
government by a dictator with few to no limitations on them.
