1. Liberalism Through Democratic Systems Representative Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Republican Democracy

2. Techniques of Representative Democracy
Representation by Population ( Rep. By Pop ) every citizens vote is approximately equal to every other citizens vote. ( map on electoral districts. P. 340 )
Periodic elections: must be held within a definite maximum intervals: 5 years ( most elections in Canada are held every 4 years. ) 4 years in the USA
Secret Ballot
Independent Courts: separate from the Federal Government

3. Political power in a democracy is shared among all people in society

4. Parliamentary Democracy

5. Separation of powers among branches of government Periodic election
Multiple parties
Separation of powers among branches of government
Periodic election
Accountability of Elected Representatives
Independent media
Independent Judiciary
Rule of law
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6. Citizens in a representative democracy have a responsibility.
Voting
Forming new political parties ( the Green Party)
Voicing opinions through the media
Participating in public demonstrations, rallies or protests
Running for office
Attending public meetings
Keeping informed

7. Recall election
A recall election (also called a recall referendum or is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote or plebiscite, initiated when sufficient voters sign a petition.

8. Canada’s Parliamentary System

11. House of Commons Seating Plan

12. Senate
Seating Plan
Conservative Party of Canada 54
Liberal Party of Canada 31
Independent 6 Brazeau, Cools, Duffy, McCoy, Rivest, Wallin
Vacant seats 14 British Columbia (1), Manitoba (3), Nova Scotia (2), Ontario (4), Prince Edward Island (1), Quebec (3)
TOTAL 105

13. Powers of Government: Checks and balances

14. 2-A

15. Voting In Canada

17. Representation Formula
RIDING CHANGES
2014
Representation Formula

18. Maps of electoral districts by province
Electoral map for Alberta
Federal Riding / constituency of Lethbridge
Current party standings by province

19. Electing MP’s & the Prime Minister
General Election -- PM calls on the Gov. Gen. to dissolve parliament.
Generally 6 weeks
Held on Monday
System of electing candidates is plurality voting --- “first past the post” or simple plurality
Candidate with greatest number / plurality of votes win.
Leader of the Party with the most elected candidates becomes the prime minster.

21. The government has lost its mandate to govern when
It loses a vote on an appropriation bill
( government spending) a taxation bill or annual budget
A motion of confidence is rejected (usually when you a have a minority government)

22. “Is First-Past-The-Post” effective?
Only 25 out of the 308 winning candidates in the 2008 election were elected with a majority of the votes cast in their ridings. 41 of the winners were elected with less than 40% of the vote.

23. Losing parties are under represented Great Britain, Canada, India
Single- Member Constituency or single vote Is it the best method of electing our government?
“Winning party is over represented. Example election : the Liberals win 172 seats ( 57.1 %) with 41% of the popular vote
Losing parties are under represented
Great Britain, Canada, India

24. Figure p.340
Is it fair that urban voters are under-represented in comparison with rural voters?
Can you think of reasons why population is the main criterion used in determining ridings?

25. Is “First-Past-The-Post” effective?
Advantages
Disadvantages

26. “Is First-Past-The-Post” effective?
Advantages
Disadvantages
Less time required to pass bills.
It excludes extremist parties from representation in the legislature.
It promotes a link between constituents and their representatives, as it produces a legislature made up of representatives of geographical areas.
It allows voters to choose between people rather than just between parties.
It gives a chance for popular independent candidates to be elected. This may be particularly important in developing party systems
Finally, FPTP systems are particularly praised for being simple to use and understand
It excludes smaller parties from ‘fair’ representation
It excludes minorities from fair representation
It can encourage the development of political parties based on clan, ethnicity or region
It leaves a large number of wasted votes which do not go towards the election of any candidate.
It can cause vote-splitting.
It may be unresponsive to changes in public opinion