Elementary PowerPoint 1: Government and Democracy

What words come to mind when you hear the word GOVERNMENT?

Governments are made up of the people and practices put in place to manage a country, nation, province or community.

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 borders

Different types of government Not all governments operate in the same way. Governments can be compared by asking the following questions: How are decisions made? Who has access to power? c) What rights and freedoms are given to citizens?

Do you know an example of a type of government? Where is it used?

Dictatorship Political power is concentrated in the hands of one person The dictator uses forceful control over its people There is a heavy military presence Political opposition is forbidden No independent media Citizens are not involved in the decisions and matters of the country. There is no concern for their preferences Limited individual civil and political rights

Democracy Power is shared by all citizens Citizens elect political representatives to make decisions on their behalf Citizens also have access to power, which means they can choose to run for political office The law is applied fairly to everyone and no one is above the law, including political leaders (rule of law) Individual civil and political rights are protected (such as freedom of speech, religion and assembly)

What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

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) has complete political power In a constitutional monarchy, a monarch’s power is more symbolic and it is limited by a constitution

Constitutional Monarchy A constitution includes the basic principles and laws of a nation or state that outline 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 The monarch remains the head of state and performs ceremonial duties Government exercises rule of law

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

What are the similarities and differences between a constitutional monarchy and a republic?

Consensus Democracy Consensus refers to general agreement in decision-making Consensus democracy uses a consensus decision-making model to develop laws and policies The goal is to be more collaborative and inclusive by gathering a broad range of opinions In a consensus government, elected representatives do not belong to political party (e.g., Nunavut, Northwest Territories)

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

Constitution of Canada An 1867 Act of the British parliament, originally called the British North America Act, outlined Canada’s system of government In 1982 the Queen came to Canada to sign the Constitution Act, making it law and ensuring Canada’s legislative independence. It also includes our civil and legal rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

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 Unites 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.

What does democracy mean to you?