Question | Answer |
Democracy | A system of government in which people freely choose in elections who will govern them; principles and ideals of such government, including free speech and the rule of law |
Suffrage | Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise is the civil right to vote, or the exercise of that right. |
Communism | A social and economic ideology that property, production, and distribution of goods and services should be owned by the public, and the labour forces should be organized for the benefit of all members of society |
Capitalism | an economic system in which the production and the distribution of goods are owned privately or shareholders in corporations that have invested money in the hope of making a profit |
Fascism | an authoritarian system of government that exercises complete power, suppresses opposition often through use of force, and encourage nationalism and racism |
Governor General | the person who represents the British crown in Canada |
Head of State | the person who holds the highest position in national government |
Parliament | the legislature of Great Britain, historically the assembly of the three estates, now composed of Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal, forming together the House of Lords, and representatives of the counties, cities, boroughs, and universities, forming th |
Riding/Electoral District | a geographical area of a given size or population used as a unit in elections |
Constituent | a voter in a riding |
Member of Parliament | a member of the House of Commons or similar legislative body, as in many Commonwealth countries |
House of Commons | the first legislative body if Parliament whose members are elected |
Senate | the second legislative body in parliament consisting of appointed members whose role is to give sober second thought to the passage of bills |
Executive Branch | The branch of federal and state government that is broadly responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch |
Legislative Branch | The branch of the federal and state government empowered to make the laws that are then enforced by the executive branch and interpreted by the judicial branch |
Cabinet | the group of ministers chosen by the prime minister who decide government policy; each cabinet minister has a responsibility for a particular department |
Privative members bill | a bill introduced into the legislature by a member of the legislature who is not a member of the cabinet |
Prime Minsters Office | is one of the most powerful parts of the government. It is made up of the prime minister and his or her top political staff, who are charged with advising the prime minister on decisions, making the office a wholly political body. |
Privy Council | the office that organizes the work of the council |
Patronage | a favour, often a government position, given in return for political support |
Lobbyist | a person hired to represent the interest of a pressure group bu influencing policy decision makers in the group's favour |
Free vote | members voting according to their own conscience |
Order-in-council | an order signed by the governor General(or the lieutenant- general in the provinces) on the advice of the prime minster (or premier) and cabinet; allows laws and regulations to be passed without a parliamentary vote |
Cabinet solidarity | the custom that cabinet members must not show disagreement with government policies |
Campaigning | the competition by rival political candidates and organizations for public office. |
Tabulation | counting votes |
Nomination | choosing a candidate to run for office |
| to postpone of suspend, as in parliament |
Dissolution (of Parliament) | an order issued by the head of a state terminating a parliament and necessitating a new election. |
Direct Democracy | a system in which citizens vote directly on every issue |
Representative Democracy | a system in which citizens elect a politician who then makes decisions for them |
Federal system | of or relating to a form of government or a country in which power is divided between one central and several regional government |
Prime Minister | the principal minister and head of government in parliamentary systems; chief of the cabinet or ministry |
Vote of non-confidence | a vote or motion in a legislative body censuring an aspect of or indicating a lack of majority support for a government policy |
Backbencher | members of legislature who are not Cabinet ministers, party leaders, or opposition |
Party Whip | A member of the legislature assigned the specific role of ensuing all members of their party are present in the legislature to support party interests |
Speaker of the House | is elected by a majority party caucus. In addition to being chief spokesman for the majority party, the Speaker runs the proceedings of House debate and voting, appoints committee members, refers bills to committees for research and development |
Mace | a ceremonial staff carried before or by certain officials as a symbol of office |
Shadow Cabinet | a group of prominent members of the opposition who are expected to hold positions in the cabinet when their party assumes power |
Public servants | the government administration |
Sergeant-at-Arms | an executive officer of a legislative or other body, whose duty it is to enforce its commands, preserve order, etc |