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Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and the US

Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and the US. Donald Alper Department of Political Science Center for Canadian-American Studies Western Washington University Presented at the NCSS Annual Conference Seattle, WA November 17, 2012 donald.alper@wwu.edu. Two Democracies.

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Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and the US

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  1. Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and the US Donald Alper Department of Political Science Center for Canadian-American Studies Western Washington University Presented at the NCSS Annual Conference Seattle, WA November 17, 2012 donald.alper@wwu.edu

  2. Two Democracies • Canada = Constitutional Monarchy • US = Republic

  3. Two Federal Systems 14 governments (excluding First Nations) 1 federal 10 provincial 3 territorial

  4. Characteristics of Can Federal System • More decentralized in Canada • provinces exert greater power than states -fewer; serve as regional power centers -distrib. of powers different • French-English ‘accommodation’ • Quebec = French-speaking homeland within Canada • cutural and regional autonomy coincide

  5. A Closer Look at Pol Structure and Provinces’ & States’ Influence • In US—states have strong/equal rep in national government via US Senate • In Canada—no elected/ equal senate to represent provincial interests House of Commons is based on rep by pop-thus huge inequality in provincial clout at national level

  6. House of Commons Representation by Province } 181 = 60% } 92 = 30%

  7. Parliamentary v. Presidential-Congressional Systems:Comparative Framework United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

  8. US Congress (House and Senate) House and Senate roughly equal in power and influence Strong, independent powers to legislate Canadian Parliament (Commons and Senate) House of Commons focus of power; carries out will of majority party Unelected senate, mostly advisory Opposition principle built into House of Commons Question Period Role of Legislative Bodies United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

  9. Government and Opposition Note the “face-off” architecture of The House of Commons

  10. Question Period: A Unique Parliamentary Institution Have students simulate question period. Assign roles such as PM, Leaders of Opposition parties, cabinet ministers, etc. See: Model Parliamentary Unit Teaching File http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/mpu/index_e.asp

  11. Majority & Minority Governments A Majority Government 2011 A Minority Government 2008 Have the students work out the numbers and likely partners in a possible coalition government

  12. Canadian Senate—Distribution of Seats (2012)

  13. Political Parties & Leaders

  14. To access Study Canada slide presentations on this and other topics click on: http://www.k12studycanada.org/resources_pps.html

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