political timed test
POLI -103 Contemporary political ideologies
Maryanne Cliche Mcliche@coquitlamcollege.com
• 1. RECAP • 2. DIVING DEEPER INTO DEMOCRACY • A) Main Characteristics • B) Challenges/ Critics • 3. MODERN EXAMPLES & EXERCISE • 4. HOMEWORK
PLAN FOR TODAY
HOMEWORK- FOLLOW-UP
• Identify 3 countries that have put in place a democratic regime over the past 50 years
• Copy the definition of these words in your notebook:
1- Democracy 2-Rule of law 3-Governance 4- Constitution
RECAP
RECAP
Greece in the 5th century BC
RECAP - ORIGINS
DEMOS = PEOPLE
KRATIA = TO RULE
Often referred to as : Government of the people, by the people
RECAP - EVOLUTION
Often referred to as :
Government of the people, by the people
THREE CONCEPTIONS OF DEMOCRACY
Liberal democracy
Social democracy
People’s democracy
1. Liberal democracy
2. Social democracy
3. People’s democracy
DEMOCRACY ON HUMAN NATURE
All humans are created equal
• Equality of opportunity and equality before the law
• Basic human rights such as the right to life, liberty, property, the pursuit of happiness and the right to vote
DEMOCRACY ON FREEDOM
• All humans are created equal
• Everyone has the right to freedom
= Everyone’s right to freedom is equal
The Democracy Index - 2018
167 countries scored from 0 to 10 based on 60 indicators across 5 categories:
• Electoral process and pluralism • The functioning of government • Political participation • Democratic political culture • Civil liberties.
It concludes that just 4.5% of the world’s people live in a “full democracy”.
Souce: The Economist Intelligence
WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF
DEMOCRACY?
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
One man, one vote Fair election
Supports human rights and equality
Need public participation
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
One man, one vote Fair election
Supports human rights and equality
Need public participation
The rule of law
The rule of law
Human rights are preserved by
1. Constitution or laws
2. International Conventions, treaties and organizations (UN)
= The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
What are the key features of a democracy- VIDEO
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
• Righ to vote • Freedom of speech and assembly • Freedom of religion • Right to equality
• Righ to vote • Freedom of speech and assembly • Freedom of religion • Right to equality
1. Respect for human rights
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
2. Mutli-party system and political tolerance
• The ruling party is monitored by and debates with the opposition parties
• The ruling party is accountable to the people
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
2. Mutli-party system and political tolerance
• Acceptance and Respect of different views • The use of dialogue to resolve conflict
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
• Regular elections • Equal right to vote • Elections are free and fair • Majority rule
3. Democratic voting system
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
4. The rule of law
• The process to adopt laws is transparent, fair and efficient
• Laws are clear, publicized, stable and evenly applied
• All political decisions in accordance with the law
• Independent courts
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
5. Democratic Governance
• The separation of power • Checks and balances • Transparency • Responsiveness • Efficiency • Effectiveness • Accountability
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
6. Citizen participation6. Citizen participation • Participate freely in political life • Active citizens • Voting • Joining a political party
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
1. Respect for human rights
2. Multi-party system and political tolerance
3. Democratic voting system
4. The rule of law
5. Democratic governance (or the separation of power)
6. Citizen participation
CHALLENGES/CRITICS
1. Majority rule, minority rights
2. In the very definition of democracy
WHO?
CHALLENGES
2. In the very definition of democracy
WHO AND HOW?
3.The influence of money
4. The democratic ideal can be difficult to define and implement in reality
MODERN EXAMPLES & EXERCISE
EXAMPLE: DOES CANADA RESPECT THE 6 KEY FEATURES OF DEMOCRACY?
1.Does it respect the human rights?
“In Canada, human rights are protected by federal, provincial and territorial laws. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982 is part of Canada’s Constitution.”
Source: https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/how-are-human- rights-protected-canada
2.Does it have a multi-party system
“For the first half-century after Confederation, Canada had a two-party system, now at the federal level it has 5 main parties ; the Conservatives, the Liberals, the NDP, the Bloc Quebecois, the Green party.”
Source: The Canadian encyclopedia http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/party-system/
3. Does it have a democratic voting system?
“In Canada, the voter casts a single vote and the candidate with the greatest number of votes is elected and the Constitution Act, 1982 requires that no more than five years pass between elections. (…) The right to vote, or the franchise, is widely distributed in Canada. With very few exceptions, all Canadian citizens over 18 can vote.”
Source: The Canadian encyclopedia http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/party-system
4. Does it apply the rule of law?
“In Canada, we are said to be ruled by law, not by those who enforce the law or wield government power. No one in Canada is above the law. Everyone, no matter how wealthy or how powerful they are, must obey the law or face the consequences.”
Source: Canadian Superior courts Judges Association http://www.cscja-acjcs.ca/rule_of_law-en.asp?l=4
5. Does it apply democratic governance?
“Three branches work together to govern Canada: the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch (also called the Government) is the decision-making branch, made up of the Monarch(represented by the Governor General), the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet. The legislative branch is the law-making branch, made up of the appointed Senate and the elected House of Commons. The judicial branch is a series of independent courts that interpret the laws passed by the other two branches.”
Source: https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Education/OurCountryOurParliament/html_booklet/overvi
ew-canadian-parliamentary-system-e.html/
6. Does it respect citizen participation?
“In Canada, freedom of association, free speech and the right to participate in the political process are guaranteed by law. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms explicitly recognizes four fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association.(…) In 2013, nearly two in three Canadians were members or participants in a group, organization or association”
Source: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-652-x/89-652-x2015006-eng.htm
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
1. Respect for human rights
2. Mutli-party system and political tolerance
3. Democratic voting system
4. The rule of law
5. Democratic governance (or the separation of power)
6. Citizen participation
HOMEWORK
1- Finish reading Chapters 1-2 of your textbook
2- Read the UN Declaration of Human Rights on C4
3- Analyze one of the 3 countries you identified according to the 6 key features of democracy and argue whether or not it is fully implementing the 6 key features of democracy. Use the example presented to help you.