Essay about Canadian Democracy Its Strengths and Weaknesses

Words: 2584
Pages: 11
Open Document
“The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within”. (Gandhi) A lawful and fair democracy is one that represents the people, where the will of the people is done not where the government’s will is enforced. Here in Canada we believe a democratic government is well suited for its people but like any other system it has its flaws. This country was a model democracy. Canada’s wealth, respect for legal, human and civil rights almost promises that this country has the potential to uphold a legitimate democracy. Reading headlines today concerning the state of democracy in Canada we can see how our political system is slipping. A democracy should uphold the rights of its people rather than the rights of a …show more content…
The Prime Minister (PM) holds the most power in this democratic country. The PM is not elected directly by the people; he/she is elected by the party with the most seats in the House of Commons. The appointed PM has a huge number of unilateral powers. Academics have said, “The Prime Minister not just the recent one but the position itself- tends to enjoy powers to a degree that may be unhealthy in a democratic society. It is a thesis that has been in play for several decades”. (Bakvis, 61) This is not only seen in Canada but in Westminister parliamentary systems as well. (Bakvis, 61) A huge weakness in Canada’s parliamentary system is strict party discipline. The PM can ensure its party members votes according to him/her. The PM can do this because he/she has dismissal power to anyone in the party even the appointed senate. Even thought the senate can amend, debate or introduce new bills he/she rarely does. The PM often reminds its party members of his/her caucus that it is his/her who got them the position in the first place. This is why MPs almost never vote against their own party an example of this is when the Parliament voted on the Farm Credit Corporation Act, 150 Liberals voted in favour and 0 Liberals voted against, you can see the trend in nearly all legislations that were passed. Another example of this is at a
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Canadian Democracy Its Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Exam Notes Essay

advantage is a philosophy that underscores the benefits of being among the first to establish strong positions on important world markets. Later entrants may have a harder time establishing themselves and may be blocked by competitors. Shift toward democracy Creates new market opportunities since people are no longer repressed economically and politically. Reduction in trade barriers Global activities growing, thus trade agreements such as NAFTA is established to benefit all parties involved Improvements…

Words 7905 - Pages 32

freedom of politics coursework Essay

and political philosophy.” Kant, Immanuel; Kitcher, Patricia (intro.); Pluhar, W. (trans.) (1996). Critique of Pure Reason. Indianapolis: Hackett. xxviii. 2 Funk, Rainer (2000). 3 Berlin, I. (1958). 4 Charles Margrave Taylor, is a Canadian philosopher from Montreal, Quebec best known for his contributions to political philosophy, the philosophy of social science, and intellectual history. !1 negative liberty to be the absence of obstacles and the free exercise of options. The…

Words 2402 - Pages 10

MGMT 4P90 GROUP 1 Essay

Jenna Glazier Michelle LeBlanc Cathy Ye Michael Cosentino Marina Stoican Johnny Nguyen Mikael Astejada TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION Pg. INTRODUCATION INTERNAL ASSESSMENT – EVALUATION OF RESOURCES SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats TREND ANAYLSIS STRATEGY – OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE OPTION SELCTION – ATTRIBUTES Unemployment Uninsurance Number of Physicians 60 years and older physicians New Graduates…

Words 8477 - Pages 34

Marketing Plan Essay

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING PLAN Term Project By Cherie D. Crozier Copenhagen Business School Dr. Marc Fetcherin August 3rd 2009 1 Table of Content Table of Content ........................................................................................................................ 1
 Executive Summary................................................................................................................... 2
 1 Company Analysis...........................................…

Words 7421 - Pages 30

Distinction Level Assignment EXAMPLE Essay

Programme: MSc International Marketing Module Title: International Marketing Management SRN: International marketing plan: FitFlop's entry into South Korea Page count: 21 pages Word count: 3,216 words (excluding title page, contents page, references, diagrams of models, bibliography and appendices) Contents Page Executive summary 3 1. Introduction 4 2. Analysis of target country 4 3. Market entry mode 6 4. Segmentation, targeting and positioning 8 4.1 Segmenting the South Korean…

Words 6676 - Pages 27