EXAM REVIEW CAN190 What is politics? We all have an idea of what politics involves, but few of us actually think about its purpose until something goes wrong with our home, community or society. The most important thing to know about politics is its purpose: politics keeps our society civilized by determining who should have and yield power and by helping citizens resolve conflicts over resources, over values and over who should yield the power. “Turn on to politics, or politics will turn on you.” (Ralph Nader) What is politics? What are its characteristics? Characteristic 1: Power a. the ability to influence outcomes; and/or a. the ability to get others to act or behave differently. What can I use to change outcomes? Type A - Influence: Softer Power • critical reasoning and argumentation • • • • • information beauty fame skills and aptitudes charisma Type B – Authority: • • • • • • • • heredity constitutional legal (judge, police) legitimate – based on birthright, election or legal position parental ownership credentials/education Authorized coercion Type C - Coercion (authorized or Characteristic 2: Conflict Political conflict arises over the allocation of 1. Values - belief in what is moral, important, worthy, etc. or 2. Resources - property, money, food, etc. or 3. Power (D. Easton) Openness Empathy Honesty Collaboration Forgiveness Inclusive Harder Power unauthorized) • • • • • • • • • • • • weapons blackmail or extortion fines imprisonment Bullying verbal threats or warnings 1. Examples of conflict over values: • Euthanasia • Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice • Definition of Marriage • Death Penalty 2. Examples of conflict over resources: • Property disputes • Budgetary debates • Government cutbacks • Collective bargaining • • • • • • Closed Manipulation Threats Intolerance Isolationism Exclusive What makes an issue political? What is it about and how does it relate to our definition? Look at the definition of politics and ask: What do these news stories tell us about the management of power and the management of conflict? What is the nature of the conflict? Is the conflict about a. b. c. d. Values Resources (money, land, water rights, etc.) Power (who wants to control the power?) A combination of the above What is power? power – the ability to get others to do what they might not otherwise do. Power changes outcomes. Look at the types of power oInfluence oauthority oand coercion When is power soft or hard? Who gets to use power? When is power authorized (appropriate), unauthorized or abusive? corruption – using power and position for personal gain Influence: Authority: Coercion: •Diplomacy •Profession •Verbal threat •Persuasion •Hereditary position •Weapons •Argument •Knowledge •News Media •Beauty •Charisma Soft Power •Election •Marital Status •Family order •Ownership •Credentials •Blackmail •Extortion •Physical Size •Fines •Prison •Torture Hard Power The six basic principles of the Canadian Constitution Responsible government, Federalism, Judicial review, Constitutional monarchy (since Magna Carta of 1215), the Rule of law, and Democracy (Representative Government). Power Checks and Power Sharing Four branches of government:http://management4be st.blogspot.ca/2010/04/ legislature executive Bureaucracy (The Crown) judiciary = Legitimacy project-authority.html the rules and institutions that constitute the state, and which determine how governments are chosen, are accepted by most people as being reasonable. Democracy is a political system based on the formal political equality of all citizens, in which there is a realistic possibility that voters can replace the government, and in which certain basic rights and freedoms are protected. http://www.shuttersto ck.com/pic100688410/stockphoto-voting-anddemocracy-symbol A democratic (liberal/free) state must balance the competing pulls of individualism (the private realm) and collectivism (the public realm). http://ericailove.blogspot.ca/2011/ 02/individualism-versuscollectivism.html Political Ideas - Important words and concepts What is a value? A value is a belief in what is good or bad (ethical), what is important, what something is worth, and so on… What is an ideology? An ideology is a set of interrelated values and beliefs about how society is organized and how it ought to function What is political culture? A political culture consists of the characteristic values, beliefs, and behaviours of a society’s members in regard to politics. Liberalism, conservatism, and socialism historically important trio of ideologies in Western democracies Democratic Socialism – Social Justice (Equality) Liberalism - Freedom Conservatism – Order Green - Environment Note: The Liberals, NDP, Conservative and Bloc Quebecois parties cannot always be divided along ideological lines. There are significant overlaps. Theoretical Model - Left, Right & Centre Left-wing and right-wing - labels used to classify the political ideas that lie behind an action, opinion, or statement. Left - collectivist and social justice ideas, ideologies and political parties that advocate social reform; Right - ideas and ideologies that advocate social order, protection of private property, economic freedom and support for capitalism; Centre - the mainstream of a society’s politics. Collective Power Economic Collectivism Economic Individualism Individual Power What unites Canadians? Commonalities History Land Mass Weather Common Political Institutions Communication and Transportation Links Interests (peaceful and prosperous society) Values, Attitudes, Ideas and Culture http://o.canada.c om/2012/06/28/ whos-ready-foranother-unitycrisis-notstephen-harper/ Political Culture: sum total of the political values, beliefs, attitudes and orientations in a society. Members of the society seek common ends (“peace, order and good government”) Similar responses to the law Similar behaviours towards the government Values can be categorized by type: Where do we see Canadian values expressed? Social values (e.g. sharing and caring – social programs, welfare multiculturalism, public education, universal health care, etc.) http://motivatedonline. com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/ 09/Canadian-Values-ASilent-Revolution.jpg Democratic values (e.g. political equality - one person one vote, government by consent of those governed) Human rights values (e.g. The 1982 Charter - 4 freedoms - freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom of assembly – religious belief) Rule of law values (e.g. Canadian legal system: Charter principles of justice, fairness and due process) Political Values (e.g. Parliamentary system: representative democracy, responsible government - Parliament) Where do we find Canadian values our democracy? Examples embedded in our society and our institutions Constitutional Monarchy Parliamentary Democracy (Representative Democracy) Responsible Government Judicial System (Judicial Review) Rule of Law Federalism Social Programs Attitudes towards fairness, sharing, queuing What divides Canadians? Political Fault Lines and Societal Cleavages Regional differences -provinces/territories, disparities Class/Economic Differences upper/middle/working/poor Ethnicity (French/English, Aboriginal, Other) Gender Age Rural/Urban split External Issues (Globalization and U.S. influence) Ideologies Look at textbook chapters 3, 4 and 5 What does a constitution do? Fundamental law of a community How to manage power and the means of resolving conflict Empowers the state to do certain things A democratic constitution also empowers citizens – confers entitlements Regulates relations between parts of the state, ◦ between the citizenry and the state, ◦ between branches of government ◦ under a federal constitution, between levels of government Also Establishes the formal rules of the game. Determines how governments operate (machinery of government) Establishes relationships between state institutions (branches of government: executive, legislature, judiciary) the state and the citizens levels of government (federal system – Central, provincial and municipal governments) Establishes citizens’ individual rights and obligations establishes rules regarding representation, the distribution of state power, and rights. (ridings, list of powers) may also include provisions dealing with community and identity and also with national purpose Protection of language rights in New Brunswick Minority rights Political Institutions Evolve to Include Responsible Government Governor Governor Governor Council 1763 Royal Proclamation Executive Council Executive Council Legislative Council Legislative Council Assembly Assembly Representative Government 1839 Durham Report Responsible Government 1840 to 1867 – Confederation with BNA Act Canadian Political Institutions Today Executive Queen & Governor General Legislature PM and cabinet sit and are responsible to the parliament. advised by Prime Minister and Cabinet advised by Bureaucracy House of Commons Senate Judiciary Courts Judges are appointed by the executive to interpret laws and can overturn certain executive actions and laws passed by Parliament Canada United States The Monarch’s formidable constitutional powers: Choosing which party will be called upon to form the government Prorogation of Parliament Dissolving Parliament and calling for a new election Signing all federal and provincial legislation, into law (giving royal assent) Head of the armed forces Types of Government Political System Federation Unitary State Parliamentary Canada Great Britain Republic France United States Parliamentary Government, cont’d. Ministerial responsibility Parliamentary supremacy v. constitutional supremacy Judicial independence (this involves an aspect of the separation of powers principle); should judges speak out on policy issues? Relations between the House (elected) and Senate (unelected) Constitutional Timelines 1837 – Rebellions of Upper and Lower Canada 1839 – Durham Report – gives Canada Responsible Gov’t 1867 - The British North America Act (Constitution Act, 1867) is passed in Britain and creates Canadian Confederation by joining Ontario and Quebec (the Province of Canada) with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 1870 – The province of Manitoba is established. 1871 – British Columbia joins Canada. 1873 – Prince Edward Island joins Canada. 1905 – The Provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta are established. 1926 – The Imperial Conference – The colony of Canada is proclaimed ‘autonomous’. 1927 – The process of finding ways of amending the constitutional begins. Continued Timelines 1931 – The Statute of Westminster proclaims that Canada is a sovereign country. 1949 – Most of the Constitution can now be amended in Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada replaces the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council. And Newfoundland joins Canada. 1960 to 1966 – Quebec seeks to change the Constitution. 1967 to 1971 – Negotiations to amend the Constitution fail. 1970 – The Parti Québécois is elected. 1980 – The Quebec government loses the referendum on Sovereignty Association. Continued Timelines 1982 – The BNA Act is repatriated to Canada and the Constitution Act, 1982, along with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, is adopted. All parts of the Constitution can now be amended in Canada. 1987 – The Prime Minister and Premiers agree to make Constitutional changes through the Meech Lake Accord. 1990 – The Meech Lake Accord fails to pass in Newfoundland and Manitoba legislatures. 1992 – The Prime Minister, the Premiers and Aboriginal Leaders reach agreement with the Charlottetown Accord. The Accord fails to pass in a national referendum. 1995 – A Quebec referendum on sovereignty is narrowly defeated by a margin of 49.42% "Yes" to 50.58% "No". 2000 – The conditions for a province to achieve sovereignty are laid out in the Clarity Act. Functions and Branches of Government Branches of Government Government Functions Legislature Makes Laws Administration/ Executive Judiciary - Executes Laws, policy Administers programs Interprets laws/ Resolves Disputes Freedomhouse.com WARNING! – The separation of powers between the branches of government are not always clear in the Canadian political system. The Westminster Model A form of democratic government modelled after the government of the UK Set of rules, conventions and traditions used in the managing of the legislature and the executive. ◦ representative government, ◦ responsible government (votes of confidence) Parliamentary form of government is around the world (e.g. India, Australia, Ireland, Singapore, Jamaica, Malaysia and Malta) 1. The Formal Executive Government functions are carried out in the name of the Crown - reigning Monarch embodies the Crown (power of the state) The Crown is permanent modern functions largely ceremonial, strictly nonpartisan provides history, tradition, institutional framework; contributes to political stability provided the institution is regarded as legitimate by the majority of the people The Political Executive Prime Minister central figure in Canadian politics PM governs by ‘the right of having won an election’ political executive includes PM, Cabinet PM and Cabinet supported by network of committees and agencies ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Privy Council Office (PCO) Department of Finance Treasury Board Secretariat Modern societies are complex; today, the political executive enjoys greater power. Much activity of the political executive is hidden from view. Difficult to determine how decisions are made. Canada's Prime Ministers Must be an elected MP usually leads a majority party in the Commons an MP previously chosen as party leader right to govern based on legitimacy derived from mandate given by an election victory (first- past-the-post) PM - Powers of the Office Powerful and prestigious office = fusion of powers PM and Cabinet ◦ control making and signing of treaties ◦ conduct of international relations, war and peace ◦ timing of elections through advice to the Governor General to dissolve Parliament ◦ ability to discipline and unify the caucus ◦ controls the organization of government ◦ appoints and chairs the cabinet The power to appoint PM and Cabinet control many appointments ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Senate, judiciary, Governor General Parliamentary Secretaries powerful set of patronage appointments (Canadian Mint, Canada Post, Airport or Port Authorities ◦ Ambassadors Unlike the U.S., there are no public reviews of the appointments. This appears to be changing in Canada. There is now some vetting of judicial appointments. What keeps a Prime Minister in Check? Parliament and votes of confidence Elections – periodic replacement of government by the electorate Queen or Governor General Constitution Judiciary Canadian Senate Federalism - Provinces jurisdiction Parliament Major Theme: Based on the British 'Westminster Model', Parliament is a primary arena of politics in Canada. It is a focus of interest because it must both pass all federal legislation and debate and discuss important issues of the day. Legislature unicameral or bicameral more complicated in a bicameral greater number of veto players involved ◦ veto player of a legislative process is defined as an actor whose consent is required for the status-quo bill to be changed and amended Bicameral - Two Houses – ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ one elected, one appointed (e.g. Canadian Senate) In Canada - House of Commons (elected) and the Senate (appointed) In U.S. – House of Representatives and the Senate are elected In Britain – House of Commons (elected) and House of Lords (Aristocratic Representation) A bill may have to be passed in both Houses and given “assent” in order to become law The important functions and powers of the Governor General 1. Formal Head of State ◦ ◦ Speech from the throne ceremonial duties (receives other heads of state, order Canada, literary awards. 2. Signs legislation into law. 3. Dissolves Parliament and signs the writs of election 4. or asks the Leader of the Official Opposition if they enjoy the confidence of the House of Commons. 5. Prorogues parliament. Origins and Function of Parliament from the Old French ‘parler’ institutional function: discussing, solving problems origins in the British King's summons of councillors for discussion power gradually shifted from the Monarch to Parliament tradition developed that senior ministers sat in the elected House of Commons; later required support of the Commons British model adapted to Canadian experience the Senate as appointed 'men of wisdom and good stock' protecting provincial interests and offering “sober second thought” Major Events the Speech from the Throne: read by Governor General to outline the government's proposals the Budget: delivered by the Minister of Finance reviewing spending and taxation plans followed by a budget debate tabling of the Estimates: detailed spending plans for the next fiscal year prorogation: closing a session (any unpassed legislation automatically 'dies' at prorogation) sessions are now longer dissolution is proclaimed by the Governor General: at least once every five years Three primary functions of Parliament ◦policy making; ◦representation; ◦system maintenance Functions of House of Commons & MPs 1. a policy-making function 2. a representative function 3. both to lead the public and to follow its wishes 4. a system-maintenance (working and legitimizing) function 5. supervises the work of the Cabinet 6. passes laws, imposes taxes, authorizes expenditures Functions (continued) 7. forum for backbenchers 8. forum for extended debate on political questions, conflicts 9. watchdog and critic functions: keeping the government accountable 10. the Loyal Opposition: an alternative government (the ‘government in waiting’) 11. a training ground for future Cabinet ministers Members of Parliament each MP elected from a single-member constituency (riding); they play a minor role in policy making most are backbenchers: not in Cabinet on the government side or party critics on the opposition side primary functions to support the party leadership An MP can write and submit their own legislation called “private member’s bill” also serve on committees A Bill Becomes Law Three Readings in House of Commons and Senate: 1. First Reading (Introduction) 2. Second ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ 3. 4. Third Reading and Vote Senate – Three Readings (much faster) ◦ 5. Debate on the Principles Vote Committee Review and Approval More Debate Amendments must be reviewed by the House of Commons Royal Assent (Governor General signs final version) Role of Judiciary One of the three branches of Government Interpret the law Dispute resolution Defend the constitution Check against the power of the legislature or the PM Legitimization Political stability Maintain rule of law Major Themes of 1982 Charter: Arguably the effect of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms increased the power of the Canadian judiciary increased the likelihood of constitutional dispute. A stronger judiciary that eclipses the parliament (judicial vs. parliamentary supremacy) “Americanizing” Canadian society Undemocratic – Decisions made by unelected judges Perhaps politicized our Supreme Court Elections & Political Parties Voting Rights Elections Canada Role of the Political Parties Candidacies and requirements Spending & Fund Raising First-Past-the-Post vs. Proportional Representation (pros & cons) Majority vs. Minority Governments – Why worry? Comparison: 40th 41st 42nd Parliaments www.cbc.ca/canadavotes Party 2008 308 seats % Vote Con 143 37.6 Lib 77 BQ 49 2011 308 seats 2015 338seats % Vote 39.62 99 31.9 25.24 34 18.91 184 39.5 9.7 4 6.05 10 4.7 NDP 37 18.2 102 30.62 44 19.7 Ind 2 .65 0 .43 0 .8 Green 0 6.8% 1 3.91% 1 3.4% 100% 315 100% Total 308 167 % Vote 100% 308 Election 2019 – 43rd Parliament Election 2021 – 44th Look for these on BlackBoard Studying and reviewing for CAN190 Exam Lectures What is Politics? Chart FINAL EXAM tab in BlackBoard EXAM INSTRUCTIONS On the morning of Thursday December 9, 9:00am, I will be sending you an email with a CAN190 exam document for you to complete. All answers must submitted in the exam document provided. You will have until Monday December 13, noon (12pm Eastern Time) to complete the exam. THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS!!!! The exam will include short essay answers and one social science argumentative essay question for you to complete. Research, along with properly cited references, citations and a bibliography will be required. Submit the exam as a document under the Final exam tab in the Assignments/Tests/Exam folder on BlackBoard SafeAssign will be used. There will be no tolerance for plagiarism, and that includes copying original work from your fellow students or recopying analysis from your previous works. Any incidence of plagiarism will result in 0/30%. NO EXCUSES!!!! Good Luck!
