PowerPoint 1:
Government and Democracy
What is government?
• The role of government is to make decisions and
enforce laws for people living within its borders, and
to provide services to protect its citizens.
• In Canada, there is a government for the whole
country, one for each province/territory, and one for
each community.
How do governments compare?
Governments around the world differ from one
another and they can be compared by asking the
following questions:
a) Who holds power?
b) How do they get to be in
power?
c) What rights and freedoms
do people have?
Dictatorship
• A dictatorship = one person is the leader
• The dictator often comes to power through a military
takeover.
• Power is then maintained without the permission of the
people through a one-party state where political opposition
is forbidden.
• Citizens have few rights and freedoms.
Oligarchy
• An oligarchy = a few people have power.
• Political power is shared by a small group of people, usually
the rich.
• Citizens have some rights and freedoms.
• An oligarchy can also be a dictatorship.
Democracy
• A democracy = all citizens have a say in determining the
government and have a voice through their elected
representatives.
• There are free and fair elections, and citizens can run for
political office.
• The rights and freedoms of citizens are protected (e.g., the
right to vote, freedom of speech and expression).
Canada’s Government
• Canada is a democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
• We elect people to represent us in our governments and to
make decisions on our behalf.
• Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth (along with
52 other countries) and is connected to the Crown. The
Queen of England is also Canada’s Queen.
• The Queen accepts all decisions made by the Government of
Canada, but she continues to play an important ceremonial
and symbolic role.
Final Thoughts
• What would your life be like without a government?
• What are the pros and cons of each type of
government?
• Would you prefer to live in a dictatorship or a
democracy? Why?