The word democracy describes a political system. In a democratic country, all eligible citizens have the right to participate, either directly or indirectly, in making the decisions that affect them. Canadian citizens normally elect someone to represent them in making decisions at the different levels of government. This is called a representative democracy. Countries like Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom all have representative democracies. Before European people came to Canada, many different Indigenous peoples governed their regions using many different political systems, including democracy. Show Students in your class may come from many different countries. Are these countries democracies? How many of your classmates have experience with other political systems? How are they similar to democracies? How are they different? Creating official designs for coats of arms is the responsibility of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Governor General is in charge of this organization. CANADIAN COAT OF ARMS A coat of arms is a symbol used to identify someone or something. Sometimes a coat of arms appears on an important building, or at the top of an official letter. This is the coat of arms of Canada. It contains many symbols that give us clues about Canada’s history and what Canadians feel is important. See if you can spot:
1 the flag of the United Kingdom 2 the royal flag of France (fleur-de-lis) 3 symbols of England (golden lions, roses) 4 symbols of Scotland (red lion, thistles, unicorn) 5 symbols of Ireland (harp, shamrocks) 6 Canadian symbols (maple leaves) 7 symbols of monarchy (crowns, royal helmet) 8 the words (in Latin) desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means they desire a better country 9 the words (in Latin) a mari usque ad mare, which means from sea to sea The word democracy comes from the Greek word demos (meaning the people) and kratos (meaning rule). Early forms of democracy began around 2,500 years ago, in Athens and other Greek cities. Using a dictionary, look up some other words that start with demo. List them with your class. Think about what they mean. What symbols identify you? Your family? Your community? Look around your neighbourhood. Can you see symbols that identify other people or things? Make a list of these symbols. List the other symbols your classmates collected. Do you all agree on what the symbols mean? Indigenous (or Aboriginal) peoples are defined in the Canadian Constitution as including the Indian (First Nations), Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. Each of these groups has distinct cultures, languages and traditions.
Does your school have a student council? How do you decide which students will represent you? What decisions does a student council have to make? Why is it important that you have a representative? Which of the following is the best example of a myth about politics?
b. Barack Obama was reelected to a second term as president in 2012. c. Government would eliminate your free speech if the First Amendment did not bar it from doing so. d. Al Gore received the most popular votes nationwide but lost the 2000 presidential election because he did not receive a majority of the electoral votes. Which statement best describes the difference between mythos and logos?
b. Mythos describes the things that we use to think about the world around us. Logos is the application of reasoned thinking and practical wisdom to understanding the world. c. Logos describes the things that we use to think about the world around us. Mythos is the collection of guiding beliefs that characterize a nation or community. d. Mythos describes the things that we use to think about the world around us. Logos is the study of knowledge. After Hurricane Sandy struck the New York metropolitan area in 2012, what statement best describes Americans' attitudes toward government action?
b. The era of big government is over. c. The federal government should do something to help. d. Disaster relief is the responsibility of state and local governments. Which of the following people has the capacity to make and enforce public policies?
b. Derek Jeter c. Mark Cuban d. None of the above A government ruled by an individual who serves his or her own personal interests is an example of a(n):
b. Monarchy c. Aristocracy d. Oligarchy A government ruled by an individual who serves the common interests of the community is an example of a(n):
b. Monarchy c. Aristocracy d. Oligarchy A system in which the people govern indirectly by electing certain officials is an example of a(n):
b. Oligarchy c. Pure democracy d. Representative democracy A system of government in which authority is based on the consent and will of the majority is a(n):
b. Democracy c. Monarchy d. Theocracy The president has power over Congress if he or she has the capacity and ability to:
b. Influence the choices that Congress makes c. Use politically relevant resources to influence the choices that Congress makes d. All of the above Those who argue that each citizen should be able to exercise the same degree of influence over governmental actions hold the:
b. Elitist view of power c. Pluralist view of power d. Hyperpluralist view of power The statement “The public is best served when there is a consensus among top political leaders” would be made by someone who believes in the:
b. Elitist view of power c. Pluralist view of power d. Hyperpluralist view of power One who advocates a political system in which many elites influence government holds the:
b. Elitist view of power c. Pluralist view of power d. Dictatorial view of power A person who states that “all elected politicians from Chicago are crooks” is articulating what type of myth?
b. Proverbial saying c. Pervasive attitude d. Fable Americans tend not to be knowledgeable or well-informed citizens about politics because:
b. Our private lives have become too complicated c. We have less time to deal with public or civic life than we used to have d. All of the above Someone who believes that the government should not intervene in personal matters or economic affairs is best described as a:
b. Liberal c. Libertarian d. Populist Which of the following is the best description of a representative democracy?The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens' ideas and concerns in government.
Which of these is the best example of representative democracy?The U.S. government is a prime example of representative and constitutional democracy. It is a representative democracy because the people, the source of its authority, elect individuals to represent their interests in its institutions. The formation and function of the government is based on majority rule.
Which definition best describes a representative government?Representative-government definition
An electoral system where citizens vote to elect people to represent their interests and concerns. Those elected meet to debate and make laws on behalf of the whole community or society, instead of the people voting directly on laws and other debates. noun.
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