Canada’s democracy

Key Terms Constitutional Monarchy – Queen as head of state Parliamentary – actions associated with House of Commons Periodic elections – holding elections (within every five years) Patronage – giving favors Civil service –those who work for government Written constitution – laws written down Unwritten constitution - traditions Opposition party – second largest party

Cabinet Ministers – given special responsibilities Responsible Government – the executive must respond to the wishes of the legislative branch (have the confidence of the legislature) Non-confidence vote – bills of importance must be passed or executive must step down Cabinet Ministers – given special responsibilities Caucus – meeting of all members of party Party (Cabinet) solidarity – practice of party members to publically support policy Party Whip – responsible for discipline Partisanship – act of following party policy Bipartisan – two parties Non-partisan – joint efforts, not political

Executive Legislative Parliament Judicial Governor General (head of state) Prime Minister (head of government) Cabinet Executive House of Senate Commons Legislative Parliament Supreme Court Lower Courts Judicial

Senate Reform Sober second thought - appointed +30 yrs, own property, retire 75 Based on regional representation NFLD, PEI, NS, NB – 24 + 6 QU – 24 ON – 24 MB, SK, AB, BC – 24 Reform Party – Triple E Senate Elected Effective Equal

Democracy in the United States

(head of state and government) President (head of state and government) Cabinet (Staff) Executive House of Senate Representatives Legislative Congress Supreme Court Lower Courts Judicial

Key Terms Republican – the President is the head of state Presidential – involving the actions and policies outlined by the President Congressional – act of the House of Representative and the Senate combined Separation of Power – having distinct powers for the different branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) which act as a balance or control – to check the freedom of other groups Check and Balances – system designed to prevent any one group in government from controlling the state

Key Terms, cont. Fixed date elections – elections are held on designated days; eg the Presidential election Federalism – sharing powers; having a national government and regional (state or provincial) governments with their own responsibilities to rule the country Veto – the ability to override a decision, the President can override a Congressional bill, and Congress can override that veto with a 2/3 vote Filibuster – deliberate delay of passage of bill through long speeches, etc.