1. Slide Deck 1: Governance and Democracy

2. What is a RIGHT? What rights and freedoms do you exercise on a daily basis?

3. What is a right?
All citizens living in a democracy have guaranteed rights and freedoms
A right is a legal privilege or entitlement that is protected
Rights are usually fought for and claimed, and less often simply granted
Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion

4. Who makes these rules and decisions?
What types of rules and decisions are needed for people living in a community?
Who makes these rules and decisions?

5. Governance is the system of practices and processes that a community or group uses to organize themselves and make decisions
Governance models determine who has authority or a voice in making decisions, how decisions are made and who is accountable for them

6. Governance Styles
Autocratic – One person has complete control over all decisions with minimal input from others
Democratic – Collective decision-making and the sharing of tasks and responsibilities; leadership changes regularly with participation from many
Laissez-faire – The absence of an organized leadership style; there is no authority and group members are responsible for decisions

7. A government is made up of the people and institutions put in place to lead or manage the affairs of a specific jurisdiction, such as a country, nation, province or community

8. The role of government Create and enforce laws Provide services
Manage land and resources
Make decisions for the benefit of the people living within its regional borders

9. Different types of government
Governments from around the world differ from one another. They can be compared by considering the following questions:
How are decisions made?
How many people have access to power?
c) What types of rights and
freedoms are given to
citizens?

10. How many different types of government can you name?
Can you think of an example for each?

11. Autocracy
A type of government where political power is concentrated in the hands of one person who rules without restriction
No rule of law, the leader is supreme
People are not consulted on the decisions and affairs of the country
An autocracy can be a dictatorship or an absolute monarchy

12. Dictatorship
A dictator exercises power by taking control during a mass movement, using political and/or military power, often through a military takeover (coup d’état)
The dictator uses forceful control over its people
There is a heavy military presence
No independent media and political opposition is forbidden
No concern for public opinion or for their preferences
Restricted individual civil and political rights
The term authoritarianism is sometimes used to describe dictatorships.

13. Oligarchy
Power rests with a small number of people, usually those who are rich and powerful, often due to family lines, wealth or prominent political or military connections
People living under oligarchic rule usually have some rights and freedoms
Similarly, an aristocracy is a form of governing where administration or power is in the hands of a special class of people
Aristocrats are connected to royal families through blood, whereas an oligarchy is not

14. Democracy
Power is shared by all citizens and a majority of the population is included in political decision-making
Citizens elect political representatives through elections to make decisions on their behalf
Citizens also have access to power, which means they can choose to run for political office
Individual civil and political rights are protected (such as freedom of speech, religion and assembly, free and fair elections)

15. Monarchy
A monarch (king or queen) or royal family holds political power that is inherited and usually lasts until death
There are two main types:
In an absolute monarchy, a monarch (or dictator) retains full political power over a state and its people
In a constitutional monarchy, power is more symbolic and it is limited by a constitution and decisions are made by an elected government

16. What is the difference between an autocracy and a democracy?
How would the lives of citizens differ?

17. Constitutional Monarchy
The authority of the monarch is limited by a constitution
A constitution includes the basic principles and laws of a nation or state that define the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people
A constitutional monarchy has a democratically elected government with a government leader, while the monarch remains the head of state and performs ceremonial duties
The government exercises rule of law

18. Republic A sovereign state, country or government without a monarch
Democratically elected government holds all political power
Government exercises power according to the rule of law
Republics usually have a constitution

19. Would you have a preference?
What are the similarities and differences between a constitutional monarchy and a republic?
Would you have a preference?

20. Consensus Democracy
Consensus refers to general or widespread agreement in decision-making
Consensus democracy uses a consensus decision-making model to develop legislation and policies. The goal is to be more collaborative and inclusive by taking into account a broad range of opinions, as opposed to decisions made by majority rule
In a consensus government, elected representatives do not belong to political parties (e.g., Nunavut, Northwest Territories)

21. Which government types are used in Canada?

22. Government in Canada
Canada’s system of government is a parliamentary democracy
Elected members represent citizens in the federal parliament and provincial/territorial legislatures
The political party with the most representatives forms government
Canada is also a constitutional monarchy and the Queen is the head of state
Every act of government is done in the name of the Queen
The authority for every act comes from the Canadian people through the Constitution
The Constitution of Canada is the highest legal ruling in the country
The Constitution includes laws, decisions by judges, agreements between federal and provincial governments, traditions and civil and political rights

23. What rights and freedoms do Canadians receive?
How are they protected?

24. Rights and Freedoms in Canada
The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was the first written expression of human rights law at the national level
Our rights and freedoms are now protected at both the provincial and national level by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Constitution Act, 1982 that was signed by Queen Elizabeth II

25. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter has seven sections that define our rights as Canadians: Fundamental freedoms, Democratic rights, Mobility rights, Legal rights, Equality rights, Official languages of Canada, Minority language education rights

26. Fundamental Freedoms
freedom of religion (to pray & worship in your own way)
freedom of thought (to form your own opinion)
freedom of expression (to express your opinion freely)
freedom of the press (to report on all matters)
freedom of peaceful assembly (to gather and protest respectfully)
freedom of association (to meet and associate with others)

27. In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two
Interesting Fact
In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two
copies of the Constitution to protest the United States performing cruise missile tests over Canada. The other copy got wet with rain the day Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the Queen signed it

28. Debrief What does democracy mean to you?
Are there some countries that call themselves democracies, when in reality they are not?
Whose role is it to ensure a democratic government acts responsibly?
What does it mean if citizens do not participate in their democracy?