Democratic Decision Making

1. Democratic Decision Making

2. Constitution • Every democracy needs rules to guide it’s operations ie. A constitution • Defines relationship between state and people • Some are written in one document (like the United States) • Other “unwritten” constitutions are not organized into one document (like Britain) • Some have elements of both (like Canada)

3. Changing a Constitution • More difficult to change written constitutions than unwritten ones • In Canada, some amendments need 2/3 consent of provinces as well as the House of Commons and the Senate • Others need unanimous consent of Parliament and all 10 provinces

4. A System of Checks and Balances • Baron de Montesquieu • 18th C political theorist • 3 branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial • Each with distinct powers

5. Branches of Government • Executive Branch • Makes decisions and implements them • Proposes policies • Administers government resources

6. Executive Branch: Parliamentary System • Divided in two: • Formal executive: primarily ceremonial function (eg. The queen or governor general) • Political executive: holds true political power

7. Executive Branch: Presidential System • Elected president is the head of state and the political leader of the country • Executive office and legislature are separate • President cannot sign bills into law, but can veto legislation • President controls military foreign affairs, but needs Senate approval for non-military foreign affairs eg. Signing treaties

8. Branches of Government • Legislative Branch • Represents the voting public • Make laws • Many are bicameral (two-chambered) • ie. The House of Commons and the Senate in Canada

9. Canada: House of Commons • Voters from 308 ridings choose the MPs in Canada’s House of Commons • Majority party forms gov’t and its leader becomes Prime Minister • MPs must vote along party lines • If the gov’t loses an important vote in the H of C it must step down (vote of non-confidence)

10. Canada: Senate • Appointed by the Prime Minister, often based on patronage • Can only serve until age 75 • All legislation requires its approval • May suggest changes to bills presented to them • “Triple-E” Senate

11. Passing a Bill in Canada • Cabinet ministers draft bill • 1st reading: Bill is presented in H of C or Senate • 2nd reading: Bill is debated in and is approved in principle. • Bill is moved to standing committee for review and amendments may be suggested • 3rd reading: Bill moves back to House for final vote • Bill moved to Senate where similar steps are followed – if there are any revisions, bill goes back to H of C for approval • Royal Assent This process may also start in the Senate

12. United States Congress • Made up of the House of Representatives and Senate • Members do not have to adhere to party discipline as strictly as in Canada • Have the power to impeach the president

13. United States Congress: House of Representatives • # of member per state is based on population • Elected every 2 years • Can initiate impeachment proceedings

14. United States Congress: Senate • Each state get 2 senators • Elected every 6 years • Has the right to approve or reject certain presidential appointments and international treaties negotiated by executive • Have the right of filibusterie. Debating on a bill indefinitely to prevent is passage • Conducts trial and convicts president of impeachment

15. Branches of Government • The Judicial Branch: • Contains appointed representatives or justices • Supreme Court • Interpret the law • Can overturn legislation deemed unconstitutional Judicial restraint: Tendency to interpret law literally Judicial activism: Willingness to interpret the law and adapt it to changing circumstances

16. The Canadian Judiciary • Consists of 9 judges appointed by Prime Minister • Must contain 3 judges form Quebec • May serve until age 75 • Has recently begun to use philosophy of judicial activism • Settles disputes between federal and provincial governments

17. Electoral Systems • Allow citizens to select their rulers and lawmakers • Voters can judge the performance of a government by re-electing it or removing it from power

18. Single-Member Plurality System • The winning member is the one that receives the most votes (plurality) in their riding • Not necessarily the majority of votes • Also known as “first past the post”

19. Problems With Single Member Plurality Systems • Penalize small parties that are not regionally based eg. Green Party vs. Bloc Quebecois • This can be minimized through gerrymandering – manipulating constituency boundaries to maximize political support for one party

20. Preferential Ballot System • A modification of the single-member plurality system • Voters list candidates on ballots in order of preference • If a clear majority is not evident, the second and third choices come into play until one candidate has a majority

21. Proportional Representation • The percentage of popular votes received by a party is reflected in the number of seats that party wins • In most systems, representatives are selected from a list from each party ranking candidates on a priority basis • Can foster growth of small parties and coalition governments • The entire country is one constituency so voters are not necessarily represented geographically

22. Recalls and Initiatives • A defined number of signatures on a petition allows voters in some states and in BC to recall state or provincial politicians and call a re-election • An initiative is a petition submitted by citizens to force a vote on a certain issue

23. Referenda • A yes-no question presented to voters by the authority of the legislature • Can binding or non-binding • Binding – legislators are obliged to honour the results • Non-binding – legislators take the vote in an advisory capacity (also sometimes called a plebiscite)