Embedded Files
Branches of Government
Branches of Government
Legislative - Decides legislation
Legislative - Decides legislation
Executive - Decides regulation and directs the Legislative branch
Executive - Decides regulation and directs the Legislative branch
Judiciary - Interprets existing laws
Judiciary - Interprets existing laws
Accountability in Government
Accountability in Government
Separation of powers into branches
Checks and balances built into legislation (Notwithstanding clause, etc.)
Third-party accountability mechanisms
Media
Whistleblowers
Ombudsman's
Electoral Problems
Electoral Problems
Low voter turnout: No one votes!
Low voter turnout: No one votes!
Unfair representation: Use of FPTP/electoral college
Unfair representation: Use of FPTP/electoral college
Incumbency Advantage: Those in power tend to stay in power
Incumbency Advantage: Those in power tend to stay in power
Gerrymandering: Unequal creation of electoral boundaries (even in Canada!)
Gerrymandering: Unequal creation of electoral boundaries (even in Canada!)
Political Apathy: No one cares about politics
Political Apathy: No one cares about politics
Family Dynasties: Many politicians come from a long line of politicians
Family Dynasties: Many politicians come from a long line of politicians
Identity Politics: Voting/not voting for someone based on a demographic trait
Identity Politics: Voting/not voting for someone based on a demographic trait
Campaign Finance: Winning because of being rich
Campaign Finance: Winning because of being rich
Governance Problems
Governance Problems
Party Loyalty
Party Loyalty
Politicians represent their
party, not their constituents
Policy Failure
Policy Failure
Governments focus more
on short-term interests
Electoral Cycle
Electoral Cycle
No one does anything until
an election comes around
Passing the Buck
Passing the Buck
It becomes a back and forth
between different levels
Democracy?
Democracy?
For:
For:
The state cannot know what is best for everyone, only we can as individuals
State power principle
Against:
Against:
Why don’t we hold referenda
on every issue?
Other principles (i.e. right to education) are important too
Political Parties
Political Parties
Questions
Questions
Receive government support
Who dictates policy?
Party Politics
Party Politics
Internal selection process for leaders
Split along ideological lines
Case Studies
Case Studies
UK Conservatives
US Democratic Split
The Court System
The Court System
Questions
Questions
Prison industrial complex
Bail reform
Issues
Issues
Partisanship
Open ended legislation
Use of juries
Access to justice
Types
Types
Civil
Criminal
Appeal
Tribunal
The Social Contract
The Social Contract
The set of rules that we “implicitly” consent to by choosing to live somewhere.
The set of rules that we “implicitly” consent to by choosing to live somewhere.
Example Motion:
Example Motion:
THP Technocracy over Democracy
THP Technocracy over Democracy
*Technocracy is a form of government in which the decision-maker or makers are selected based on their expertise in a given area of responsibility, particularly with regard to scientific or technical knowledge.
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