Politics Term1 #2

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Ombudsman

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The concept originated in Sweden. The term refers to a representative or advocate of the people. An independent official with a mandate to investigate citizens' complaints about actions of government.

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Senate

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The upper chamber of Parliament, appointed on the recommendation of the prime minister. They hold their position until age 75.

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Asymmetrical federalism

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A version in which some provincial or state governments have a greater degree of self-government than others.

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Bicameral legislation

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A system where both house must pass bills for them to go through.

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Cabinet

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The members of the political executive. Led by the PM, with most ministers having the responsibility of heading a govt dept.

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Central agency

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An org. that tries to provide direction and coordination to government. In Canada, key ones are PCO,PMO, Treasury Board and Dept. Finance.

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Civic nationalism

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Based on the shared political values and history of those who are citizens of a country.

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Common law

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Judge-made, sometimes synonymous with unwritten. As it's precedent-based, it's changeable because of the accumulation of cases.

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Confederation

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System of governing in which sovereign states have agreed to delegate some of their authority to a joint government with limited authority while retaining their sovereignty.

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Deputy minister

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Executive head of a dept of govt appointed by PM in consultation with the PCO. Runs the dept with oversight by the Cabinet minister who is the political head of the dept.

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Equalization payments

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Made by the fed govtg to try to ensure that different prov govts are able to provide an equivalent level of services to their populations without resorting to excessive levels of taxation.

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Ethnic nationalism

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Based on common ancestry along with the cultural traditions and language associated with a particular ethnic group.

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Federal constitution

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One in which the soverignty of the state is divided between national and sub-national govts.

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Fused executive

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The integration of the executive and legislative branches in the parliamentary system.

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Globalization

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The processes that are increasing the interconnectedness of the world.

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Governor General

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The person who carries out the duties and responsibilities of the monarch at the national level in Canada.

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Head of govt

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The person who heads the executive side of govt and is usually responsible for choosing the Cabinet. In Canada, it is the PM.

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Head of state

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A largely ceremonial position as the official representative of the state. Not usually involved in making governing decisions in parl. system, but has the responsibility to ensure that a legitimate govt is in place.

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Judicial review

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The authority of the courts to strike down legislation or governmental actions that the courts deem to be in violation of the constitution.

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Jurisdiction

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The state's governing and law-making authority over a particular geographic area and population.

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Legislature

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A body that is responsible for the formal approval of legislation and the raising and spending of funds by the govt.

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Parliamentary sovereignty

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A basic principle of the British system of governing, recognizing Parliament as the supreme law-making body.

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Privy Council Office

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An admin structure, directly responsible to the PM, that has a key role in coordinating and directing the activities of govt and in providing policy advice to the PM.

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Prime Minister's Office

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The office that provides support and political advice to the PM. The "life support" for the political side.

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Sovereignty

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A legal and actual condition wheereby states recognize no higher authority either domestically or externally and are thus free to act as they wish. A state's right to manage its affairs internally, withour external interference, based on the legal concept of the equality of states.

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State

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The organization of power in a specific territory. It has population, territory, government, and recognition by other states.

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Nation

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Socioeconomic entity based on identity, focus on belonging. Based on either ethnicity or political beliefs.

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Administrative function

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The bureaucracy of Paliament. Includes the central agencies (not the PMO), and depts/agencies of the Crown. Is a hierarchy of offices with specialized functions, and features written records and impersonal rules.

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Section 91 of the BNA Act

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Deals with the federal jurisdiction as laid out in the Constitution, and is the foundation of centralized federal powers.

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Hybrid law

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A combination of common and civil law, used in Canada.

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Three faces of power

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Power to do, power to obscure/reject, power to make rulesets. Power to decide, block, and shape.

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Institutionalism

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Keep the way institututions operate the same. Political activity that is mediated/characterized by institutions.

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Charter challenge

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A court challenge to legislation under the rights given by the CCRF. If successful, the govt must either kill the legislation, change the legislation, or use the notwithstanding clause.

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Residual powers

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Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are handled by the Federal govt. Concurrent powers= both fed and prov. have jurisdiction, exclusive = either fed or prov, residual = fed.

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Powers of appointment

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Powers of the PM, who appoints Cabinet and Ministers, DM's, Supreme Court justices. Leads to centralization of power in PM's hands. PM also nominates own political party members - impacts party discipline.

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Civil law

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Relies on what's right and what's wrong - the principles of law (not changeable). This is why the Supreme Court has 3 justices from Quebec, as they have been primarily trained in this.

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Peace, Order, and Good Government

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In the BNA Act, the federal govt has jurisdiction over POGG. It's related to residual powers, and is one of the guiding principles of Canadian federalism.