POL 1101 [7]
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School
University of Ottawa**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
POL 1101
Subject
Political Science
Date
Dec 17, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by EarlRhinocerosPerson1234
Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this chapter, you will be able to:1.Understand the importance and significance of votingin democracy.2.Distinguish between different forms of electoral systems.3.Explain the role and importanceof political parties.4.Recognize the need for campaign financing regulations.5.Understand the pros and cons of referendumsas democratic tools.6.Appreciate the role of voting, elections, parties, and referendums in Canada.Introduction●Politics is a significant force in daily life, yet many people feel disconnectedor powerless.●In reality, citizens influence political decisions through participation in voting, elections, and political parties.●Participation is essential for democracy to function and ensures representation of citizen interests.Key Idea: Political participation is a product of socialization, shaped by factors like family, education, and social groups.Democracy and Voting●Direct Democracy: Citizens are directly involved in decision-making processes (e.g.,referendums).●Indirect Democracy (Representative Democracy): Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.○Elections are central to representative democracy and allow citizens to influence governance.Key Concept: Voting is the most direct formof participation in democratic societies.Types of Electoral SystemsElectoral systems determine how votes are translated into seats in a legislature or outcomesin elections. There are three main systems:1.Simple Plurality (First-Past-the-Post):○The candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not achieve a majority.○Pros: Simple and quick to implement.○Cons: Can result in unrepresentative outcomes, where a candidate wins without majority support.○Example: Canada and the United States use this system.2.Majoritarian Systems:
○Requires a candidate to secure an absolute majority (more than 50%).○Run-off Elections: If no candidate achieves a majority in the first round, a second round is held.○Example: Used in countries like France and Ghana.3.Proportional Representation (PR):○Seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received by each party.○Pros: Ensures broader representation of political views.○Cons: Can lead to coalition governments, which may be unstable.○Example: Common in European countries.Political Parties●Definition: Political parties are organized groups that seek to gain power by winning elections and implementing their policies.●Functions of Political Parties:○Represent citizens’ interests and values.○Aggregate diverse views into coherent platforms.○Recruit and organize candidates for elections.○Provide direction for government and opposition in the legislature.●Types of Party Systems:○One-Party System: Only one political party can form the government (e.g., China).○Two-Party System: Dominated by two major parties (e.g., the United States).○Multi-Party System: Multiple parties compete for power (e.g., Canada).Key Idea: In Canada, political parties like the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc Québécoisplay major roles at federal and provincial levels.Election Campaigns and Financing●Modern elections require significant resourcesto fund campaigns, including advertising, events, and outreach.●Campaign Financing Regulations:○Aimed at ensuring fairness and preventing wealth from dominating politics.○In Canada, political parties must disclose donations over a certain threshold, and spending limits are enforced.Challenges:●Influence of large donations on policymaking.●Transparency in reporting campaign expenses.Direct Democracy and Referendums●Definition: A referendum is a direct vote in which citizens decide on a specific policy issue.●Advantages of Referendums:○Encourages direct citizen participation.
○Increases democratic legitimacy for major decisions.●Disadvantages:○Can oversimplify complex issues into a binary choice (e.g., Brexit).○Outcomes may be divisive and fail to resolve debates.○Risk of manipulationby political elites.Examples:●Switzerland regularly uses referendums.●Canada’s most notable federal referendum was the 1992 Charlottetown Accord, which failed to achieve majority support.Elections and Political Parties in Canada1.Voting in Canada:○Eligibility: Canadian citizens aged 18 and over.○Federal elections are held every five yearsat most.○Canada uses the first-past-the-postelectoral system.2.Political Parties:○Historically dominated by the Liberalsand Conservatives.○The NDPand Bloc Québécoishave also played significant roles, especially at provincial levels.○Regional Parties: The Bloc Québécois focuses on Quebec’s sovereignty andprovincial issues.3.Party System Evolution:○Changes like the rise of the Reform Party and the unification of the right into the Conservative Party of Canadademonstrate how party systems adapt to political and regional dynamics.Conclusion●Political participation is fundamental to democracy.●Voting, electoral systems, and political parties are key mechanisms for citizens to influence governance.●While indirect democracythrough elected representatives remains dominant, tools like referendumsoffer opportunities for direct participation.●Canada’s electoral system and political party landscape continue to evolve in response to societal changes and regional dynamics.Key Terms●Direct Democracy: Citizens directly vote on policy decisions.●Indirect Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.●First-Past-the-Post: Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins.●Proportional Representation: System where seats are allocated based on vote share.●Referendum: Direct vote on a specific policy issue.
Self-Assessment Questions1.What are the main types of electoral systems, and how do they differ?2.Why are political parties important in a democratic system?3.What are the advantages and disadvantages of referendums?4.How does campaign financing regulation promote fairness in elections?5.What role have regional parties like the Bloc Québécois played in Canada’s political system?These notes provide a comprehensive overview of Chapter 7, focusing on political participation, electoral systems, political parties, and the role of elections in Canada.4oYou’ve hit the Free plan limit for GPT-4o.Responses will use another model until your limit resets after 6:15 PM.Get PlusO