POL214 Final Exam PDF

POL214 Final Exam Chapter 5 Functions of Parliament Types of Legislatures 1. Arena Legislatures: Policy initiatives come from outside, serving mainly for representation and debate (e.g., Canadian Parliament). 2. Transformative Legislatures: Policy is created within the legislature (e....

POL214 Final Exam Chapter 5 Functions of Parliament Types of Legislatures 1. Arena Legislatures: Policy initiatives come from outside, serving mainly for representation and debate (e.g., Canadian Parliament). 2. Transformative Legislatures: Policy is created within the legislature (e.g., U.S. Congress). Functions of Parliament 1. Legislative: Passes bills, typically initiated by Cabinet. 2. Representation: MPs represent their constituents. 3. Government Oversight: Ensures accountability of the government. 4. Legitimation: Provides legitimacy through democratic processes. Types of Representation 1. Service Representation: MPs help constituents navigate government services (e.g., EI, housing). 2. Constituency Representation: MPs aim to deliver benefits to their constituents, often using "pork barrel" spending (less apparent in Canada than the U.S.). 3. Symbolic Representation: MPs represent social groups (e.g., visible minorities, women). 4. Policy Representation: MPs represent party, ideological, or special interests, often dominated by party discipline. Government Oversight 1. Debate: Parliament is a key venue for public debate, influencing media and public opinion. 2. Question Period: Crucial for holding the government accountable, influencing news. 3. Committees: Scrutinize legislation, suggest amendments, and conduct investigations. 4. Independent Officers: Auditor General, Ethics Commissioner, and others provide oversight. Legitimation - Parliament’s processes ensure transparency and accountability, providing democratic legitimacy to laws and policies. Organization of Parliament 1. Structure: Parliament consists of two chambers: ○ House of Commons: MPs elected by First-Past-the-Post. ○ Senate: Senators appointed by the PM for regional representation. 2. Parliamentary Session: Key events include the Speech from the Throne, Budget, and Main Estimates. The Parliamentary Day - Majority of time is for government business; Question Period is 45 minutes, attracting the most media attention. Roles in Parliament 1. Speaker: Oversees parliamentary rules, chosen by MPs. 2. House Leaders: Manage parliamentary business for their parties. 3. Whips: Ensure party discipline and voting cohesion. Committees - Offer MPs opportunities to influence policy and scrutinize government actions. - Majority governments control committees, limiting influence. Senate 1. Function: Acts as a chamber of “sober second thought” with regional representation. 2. Powers: Can amend and veto bills (except money bills). 3. Composition: Historically partisan, but PM Trudeau introduced non-partisan appointment reforms. Senate Reform - Proposals for reform include abolition, elected Senate, or regional representation (e.g., the "EEE" Senate). Weaknesses of Parliament 1. Concentration of Power: The PM holds significant power, reducing Parliament’s influence. 2. Limited Resources: MPs have few resources for policy development. 3. Private Members’ Limitations: Limited time for private members to propose bills. 4. Senate: Lack of democratic legitimacy limits Senate’s powers. 5. Party Unity: MPs rarely vote against their party, limiting independent decision-making. Party Discipline - Party discipline ensures MPs vote in line with party views, with rewards (e.g., positions) and punishments (e.g., expulsion). - High levels of party unity are influenced by party leadership races and the electoral system Chapter 6 Multiculturalism ​Canada’s Founding - Two key premises: 1. Displacement and marginalization of Indigenous peoples. 2. Settlement by European immigrants, forming Canada's "charter groups" (English-speaking Protestants & French-speaking Catholics). Changing Demographics - 1871 Census: ○ 61% British Isles ancestry, 31% French ancestry. - 1971 Census: ○ 44% British Isles, 29% French.  - 2016 Census: ○ 41% multiple ancestries, 33% British Isles, 14% French. - Immigration patterns have changed, with most immigrants settling in Vancouver and Toronto (85% of visible minorities in top 7 cities). Cabinet & Parliamentary Representation - Macdonald’s 1878 Cabinet: 80% British, 20% French; no visible minorities or Indigenous Canadians. - Trudeau’s 2018 Cabinet: 20% visible minorities, 1 Indigenous Canadian. - As of 2021, 16% of MPs are visible minorities, reflecting Canada’s diverse population. Official Multiculturalism - Aims: - Foster cultural identity, Remove barriers to participation, Promote exchanges among cultures, Help immigrants learn official languages. - 1971: Pierre Trudeau introduced the Multiculturalism Policy, formalized in 1988. - Supports ethnic groups with $1.1 billion in grants (2017). - Established the Canadian Human Rights Commission (1977) and the Employment Equity Act (1986). - Broadcasting Act (1991): Ensures diversity in media. - Charter of Rights (Section 27): Protects multicultural heritage. Other Models of Accommodation - Deep Diversity (Netherlands): Government supported ethnic schools and media; led to segregation. - De Facto Multiculturalism (U.S.): Celebrates diversity but has polarized policies. - Universalism (France): Emphasizes equality; prohibits ethnic identification. - Interculturalism (Quebec): Emphasizes integration with majority culture, often contested, especially with immigrants from Muslim-majority countries. Immigration in Canada - Pre-1967: Immigration was racially restrictive (e.g., Chinese head tax, immigration bans). - 1967 Immigration Act: Introduced the "points system" based on skills, language, and experience. Points System - Points awarded for: - Language proficiency, education, work experience, age, and adaptability. - Critics argue it may discriminate against certain groups. Canadian Exceptionalism? - 50-70% support multiculturalism, but support for its specific policies (e.g., multicultural rights, diversity) is more divided. - Conditional multiculturalism: Many support immigration and diversity only if newcomers adapt to Canadian values.