1. Canada’s democracy

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

8. Democracy in the United States

9. (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

10. 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

11. 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.