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Understanding Governments: Types, Structures, and Roles

Explore the various types of governments worldwide, comparing autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic systems. Learn about Canada's federal, provincial, and municipal government structures and the division of responsibilities. Understand how governments function at different levels and their roles in society.

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Understanding Governments: Types, Structures, and Roles

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  1. REP DAY 2013 Government

  2. What is government? • The people and institutions put in place to run or govern a country, state, province or community. • The role of government is to make decisions and regulations (laws) for the people for whom it is responsible.

  3. How do governments compare? There are different types governments around the world and they can be compared in the following ways: • Who receives power • How they are formed • The rights and freedoms given to citizens

  4. Autocratic Government • A system of government run by a ruler with total power and authority over all aspects of life. • The ruler is called a dictator and often has the support of the military without the consent of the people. • Citizens do not have access to power. • Individual rights, freedoms and liberties are restrictive or non-existent, and human rights abuses are common. • High level of security and restricted media. • Examples: Syria, North Korea

  5. Oligarchy • A system of government where the power rests with a few people. • Power is determined by family or wealth. • Citizens have some rights and freedoms. • Examples: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait.

  6. Democratic Government • A system of government in which power is retained by all the people, either directly or indirectly through elected representatives. • Citizens have access to power and these countries have free and fair elections. • Generally free societies where citizens have guaranteed rights and freedoms. • Examples: Canada, United States, Japan, Germany.

  7. Canada’s Government • Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. • A federal state brings together a number of different political communities with a central government (federal) for general purposes and separate local governments (provincial/territorial) for local purposes. • As a parliamentary democracy, we elect members to our parliament and legislatures. The political party with the most representatives gains control of the legislature or parliament. • As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s head of state is a hereditary sovereign (Queen or King), who reigns in accordance with the Constitution.

  8. Three Levels of Government • Canada is a very large country with many different needs and interests. • In order to support its citizens most effectively, government is structured into three levels: federal, provincial and municipal. • Each level has its own arrangement of elected and appointed officials, as well as a unique set of responsibilities.

  9. Federal • The elected representative at the federal level is called a Member of Parliament (MP). • The federal legislative body has 308 elected MPs. • MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons in Ottawa (Parliament Hill). • The leader of the government is called the prime minister. • The Queen is represented by the governor general.

  10. Provincial/Territorial • The elected representative at the provincial level is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP - Ontario), Member of the House of Assembly (MHA – Newfoundland and Labrador), or Member of the National Assembly (MNA - Quebec), depending on where you live in Canada. • Elected representatives debate and pass laws at the legislative assembly. • The leader of the government is called the premier. • The Queen is represented by the lieutenant governor at the provincial level.

  11. Municipal • The elected representative at the municipal level is called a councillor. • The leader of the government is called a mayor, reeve or warden. • The size of the council differs from city to town. • Councillors debate and pass legislation in the council chambers (city hall/municipal office).

  12. Section 91-95, Constitution • In choosing a federal form of government, the Fathers of Confederation assigned particular responsibilities to the different levels of government (Sections 91–95, Constitution Act). • The division of powers is based on the principle of subsidiarity, in which the government closest to the issue governs it. • Municipal governments receive their powers from the provinces.

  13. Division of Responsibilities • Federal: National defence, trade, foreign policy, money, health and safety, immigration and citizenship. • Provincial/Territorial: Health care, education, welfare, transportation, justice, energy and the environment. • Municipal: Waste management, water and sewer, policing and protection, cultural facilities and libraries.

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