Test Review: Part 2Naptime Continues

Political Spectrum• p. 255

• Left-Wing Beliefs– Welfare of all citizens– Big Government– Rights of all citizens to be protected fairly and equally

• Centrist Beliefs– Tradition is important, but don’t fear change– Medium Government– Protect rights of individuals

• Right-Wing Beliefs– Tradition is important, and change can be dangerous– Small Government (rely on business)– Protect society and its traditions

Specific Ideologies

Specific Ideologies

• Communism– Government should own property

and control business– People work together for common

good

• Socialism– Public should own and control

business, for the benefit of all citizens

Specific Ideologies

• Liberalism– Government should provide services for

citizens to improve minimum standard of living

– Balances between social freedoms and protecting civil liberties

• Conservatism– Government should have little influence

on business– Business should provide services for

citizens

Specific Ideologies

• Fascism– National pride and loyalty more important

than the individual– Strong military– Government controls of all aspects of life– Enforces traditions– Demands loyalty to a single leader and

single culture

Canada’s Political Parties

?

BC’s Political Parties

Influencing Government

• Contact your MP, MLA, or municipal politician

• Letter to the Editor• Petition• Present a Brief• Protest• Court• Pressure/Lobby Group

Influencing Government

• Pressure/Lobby Groups– Groups who seek to influence

government policies• Institutionalized• Issue-Oriented

– Lobbyist

• Mass Media– Spreads information and opinions

Civil Disobedience

• Intentionally breaking laws considered unjust

• Three Principles– Non-violence– Target laws that are seriously harmful– Take responsibility and face

punishment

Legal System

• Judicial Branch– Interprets and administers the law– Courts and judges

• Rule of Law– fixed set of laws that applies to all

people equally

• Legal Tradition– Based on British law, except Quebec

civil law (French Code Napoléon)

Categories of Law

• Civil Law– Deals with relations between private

parties, such as individuals and companies (contracts, property, etc.)

• Criminal Law– Deals with matters that affect society

(assault, theft, vandalism, etc.)– Crimes are considered to be

committed against the state, not individual victims

Provincial Courts• Provinces are

responsible for the administration of justice

• BC Court System– p. 275– Appeal Court of BC– Supreme Court of BC

• Indictable offences

– Provincial Court• Summary offences

Supreme Court of Canada• Highest court in Canada• Rules on constitutional issues and is the final

court of appeal for select criminal cases

Canadian Constitution

• Written Constitution

• Canadian Constitution Act (1982)– Pushed by PM Pierre Trudeau– Description of powers (rules for

government and law-making)– Charter of Rights and Freedoms– Amending Formula

• Unwritten Constitution

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

• Freedoms– Freedom of conscience and religion– Freedom of thought and expression– Freedom of peaceful assembly– Freedom of association

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

• Rights– Democratic– Mobility– Legal– Equality– Language

• Enforcement– If rights denied, take to SC of Canada

Rights in Conflict

• Limiting Clause– rights and freedoms are not absolute– may be limited if considered

“justifiable in a free and democratic society” by the SC of Canada

• Notwithstanding Clause– Loophole that allows provincial

governments to pass laws that violate the Charter