1. Exploring Democracy in Theory and in Practice
Chapter 11
Exploring Democracy in Theory and in Practice

2. Key Issue
To what extent should we embrace an ideology?

3. Related Issue
To what extent are the values of liberalism viable?

4. Chapter Issue
To what extent do democratic government have an obligation to do what people want?

5. Questions for Inquiry #1
How do democratic governments recognize the will of the people?

6. Question for Inquiry #2
Should democratic governments ever disregard the will of the people?

7. Key Skill
Using effective multimedia sources and communication strategies to present an informed position during debate

8. Key Terms Authoritarian political systems Consensus decision making
Direct democracy
First past the post
Interest groups
Majority government
Party solidarity
Plebiscite
Proportional representation
Referendum
Representation by population
Representative democracy
Will of the People

9. Debate issue
Do you think the drinking age should be moved to 21 years old? Why or why not?

10. Further debate
If you agreed with moving the age to 21, do you think it would be a good idea to move it to 31? 41? 51?

11. More debate
If you though the age should not be raised do you think we should lower the age from 18 to 16? 14? 10? 5?

12. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
Authoritarian Political systems are ones in which major decisions are made by a small number of people or one person (dictator)

13. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
These leaders believe that the country should be run by one collective set of beliefs and values, require full support and no opposition.

14. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
Authoritarian systems rely on respect, or fear of, the law to rule.
Authoritarian systems will sometime selectively uses liberal value if the believe they will help further national goals.

15. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
In democratic nations the power rests within the democratic system where the government does what the people want them to do or the “will of the people”

16. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
In a democracy we have elected representatives that will reflect the will of the people the represent.

17. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
However, sometimes these representatives need to address the needs of others in society in making their decisions.

18. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
The elected representatives need to make decisions based on what is best for the whole group.

19. Recognizing the will of the people (Pg 281)
You have possible heard the phrase
“governments are made of the people, by the people, for the people” What does this phrase mean?

20. Question to put in your mind
How do governments determine what the will of the people are?

21. Voting and the Electoral Process (Pg 282)
People can vote for elected representatives to reflect their views in general
People can vote for elected representatives to reflect their views on a certain issue

22. Voting and the Electoral Process (Pg 282)
A good criteria for determining the effectiveness of a democracy is as follows:
Allows input from the people
Provides representation on a wide range of opinions
Holds politicians accountable

23. Voting and the Electoral Process (Pg 282)
Voting is the key tool in the success of democracy
In Canada you must be 18 years old and a citizen to vote

24. Voting and the Electoral Process (Pg 282)
Election Canada is the organization that ensures fair and safe elections in Canada
Ensuring that the true will of the people are reflected

25. Voting and the Electoral Process (Pg 282)
Even though Elections Canada does a good job in ensuring the will of the people is reflected they cannot not guarantee it. What is one major issue that can distort the will of the people that Elections Canada cannot stop?

26. Direct and Representative Democracies (Pg 282)
Direct democracy
People vote directly on many or all specific issues
Can be very time consuming

27. Direct and Representative Democracies (Pg 282)
Representative Democracy
People elect representatives to make decisions for them on their behalf
There are multiple levels of government
Direct democracy is occasionally used

28. Direct and Representative Democracies (Pg 282)
Most modern democracies are representative democracies because
To expensive to get a vote on every issue
To time consuming for people to fully understand each issue

29. Representation by Population (Pg 283)
This is the idea that each person has one vote and each elected representative speaks for roughly the same amount of people. Also referred to as “Rep by Pop”

30. Representation by Population (Pg 283)
Each district, province, territory, country is broken up into ridings or constituencies.
Each riding should have close to the same amount of people to ensure equal voice for all.

31. Representation by Population (Pg 283)
Do you think there is ever a valid reason to have riding have significantly different amounts of people?

32. Representation by Population (Pg 283)
In PEI there is a riding for every people. In Ontario there is one for every 80,000 people. In Toronto some ridings have 125,000 people.

33. First Past the Post (Pg 283)
In Canada we use an electoral system called first past the post.
The person with the most votes is first past the post and gets credit for all of the votes.

34. Example Edmonton Centre 2008 PC 49% Liberal 27% NDP 15% Green 8%
PC gets the seat and 100% of the say for that riding.

35. First Past the Post (Pg 284)
Is this a fair system?

36. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)

37. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
In the previous example each party would have got the number of seats equal to the percentage of the votes.

38. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
Supporters if the PR system suggest that it is more democratic and all of the votes count towards the final outcome.

39. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
Critics will suggest that it often will form minority governments or coalition governments
They suggest that these governments are less effective than majority governments

40. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
Minority governments are one in which there is not one part that has over 50% of the seats of government.

41. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
A majority government is one in which the winning party does have more than 50% of these seats in government.

42. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
Minority governments often do not finish their full term as they will get defeated by the opposing parties.

43. Proportional Representation (Pg 285)
If a government is defeated on a money bill they are forced to resign as they have lost the confidence of the house.

44. Party Politics (Pg 286)
Political parties are another way that reflect the will of the people.
Parties represent different ideologies and voters choose the one that most closely match theirs

45. Party Politics (Pg 286)
There are currently 19 registered political parties and (Pirate Party)
You can also run as an independent without a party.

46. Party Politics (Pg 286)
A representative generally is supposed to vote on an issue along the wishes of their constituency.
However, sometimes this is a problem.

47. Party Politics (Pg 286)
At times the wish of a constituency can be different than the wish of the party. In that case which way does the representative vote?

48. Party Politics (Pg 286)
Usually what is done is that in close caucus meetings the representative will fight for the views of the constituency

49. Party Politics (Pg 286)
However, if that is not the majority view then in public they will vote along with the party. This is called party solidarity

50. Party Politics (Pg 286)
The party whip ensures that every representative goes along with the party, if not they can be thrown out of the party.

51. Free Votes (Pg 287)
On controversial issues on occasion the party or government may allow what is called a free vote.

52. Free Votes (Pg 287)
A free vote allows each representative to vote in which ever way they choose regardless of party lines.

53. Free Votes (Pg 287)
In 1976 Canada had a free vote on parliament regarding the abolition of the death penalty. In a very close vote, 131 to 124, it was abolished

54. Free Votes (Pg 287)
During the free vote several liberals voted against the party line and several conservatives voted with the liberals. This is normal with free votes

55. Accountability (Pg 287)
In a democratic society the party in power has an obligation to be accountable to the people of that society.

56. Accountability (Pg 287)
In Canada, accountability is established in a few ways. One way this is done is through opposition parties.

57. Accountability (Pg 287)
Opposition parties will constantly question the action of the governing party “keeping them on their toes” with regards to decisions the make.

58. Accountability (Pg 287)
Some feel this is effective, however, others believe this undermines the confidence of the government and as such is not desirable or may even contribute to lower voter turnout.

59. Accountability (Pg 287)
Freedom of the press is another way the government is held accountable. The press are allowed to attend any session of the house of commons.

60. Referendums and Plebiscites (Pg 287)
The job of a democratic government is to fulfill the will of the people. However, sometimes an issue is so important or controversial that the government needs more input from the people.

61. Referendums and Plebiscites (Pg 287)
Having the people vote directly on an issue is called a referendum or a plebiscite.
This is a form of direct democracy.

62. Referendums and Plebiscites (Pg 287)
A referendum is binding, meaning the results must be carried through by the government.
A Plebiscite is not binding and the government can choose to ignore the results.

63. Referendums and Plebiscites (Pg 287)
Canada has had three referendums
1898 (prohibition)
1942 (conscription)
1992 (Charlottetown Accord)

64. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
The Charlottetown Accord was a proposed reform of the Canadian constitution.

65. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
The major aspects of the accord were
Sharing of governmental powers between levels of government
Recognition of Quebec as a distinct society within Canada
Senate reform
Aboriginal self government

66. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
The Accord was put to a referendum in 1992 and was voted against by 54% of voters

67. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
The problems with the accord (depending on where you lived) were
Too much for Quebec
Not enough for Quebec
Too much for Aboriginals
Not enough for Aboriginals
Too much provincial power
Not enough provincial power
Too much senate reform
Not enough senate reform

68. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
Other issues that may have defeated the accord
Poor support for Brian Mulroney
Pierre Trudeau publically criticizing the agreement

69. The Charlottetown Accord (Pg 288)
Most of the issues that this agreement dealt with are still unresolved today.

70. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
Voting is not always the preferred method of determining the will of the people. Another method called consensus decision making can also be effective.

71. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
Consensus decision making is where decision makers get together, share all ideas, and produce a solution that all can live with.

72. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
This is a traditional decision making method for aboriginal groups.
Talking circles, sentencing circles, and restorative justice are all examples of this.

73. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
The Canadian Council of Ministries of the Environment (CCME) uses a similar model in making decisions related to the environment in Canada.

74. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
Supports of this method of decision making suggest that it takes in to consideration more input and will lead to better decisions.

75. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
In addition, because all parties were included they may be more willing to see the compromised solution work because of the time and effort invested into the process.

76. Consensus and Decision Making (Pg 289)
Critics suggest it is a time consuming and emotionally draining process. Further, solutions are not always found.

77. Interest Groups (Pg 290)
When a government is elected they do not reflect the views of everyone in society. There are minority groups that do not have representation in government

78. Interest Groups (Pg 290)
Interest groups can be used by the minority to influence government on specific issues.

79. Interest Groups (Pg 290)
Interest groups, also called, special interest groups, lobby groups, advocacy groups, pressure groups, can pressure governments to see a divergent point of view.

80. Interest Groups (Pg 290)
Interest groups are a major part of Canadian democracy. Individuals can support specific ideas, and the government has another outlet to hear the will of the people.

81. Interest Groups (Pg 290)
There are more than 20,000 interest groups in Canada that represent everything from environment, women, aboriginals, disabled and many more.

82. Protests and Riots (Pg 291)
Sometime citizens become frustrated when they believe their will is not being heard. When this happened citizens can become more vocal and active.

83. Protests and Riots (Pg 291)
This extra effort to be heard can show up as protests or riots.
Protests are peaceful demonstrations that are a way to force the government to hear the will of the people.

84. Protests and Riots (Pg 291)
Riots are violent demonstrations that result when a society feels the government is ignoring them. Sometime protests can turn into riots.

85. Summary of Recognizing the Will of the People (Pg 292)
Liberal democracies value the will of the people in the democratic process.
There are many ways to hear the will of the people, voting in elections, plebiscites, referendums, political parties.

86. Summary of Recognizing the Will of the People (Pg 292)
Canada uses a representation by population system with a first past the post voting mechanism.
Some believe that proportional representation would work better for Canada, other disagree.

87. Summary of Recognizing the Will of the People (Pg 292)
Political parties and interest groups are organized ways to influence the government with the will of the people
Consensus decision making is an alternative way to make decisions rather than direct voting.

88. Question for Inquiry #1
How do democratic governments recognize the will of the people?