POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Westminster System, Presidential System, Majority Government
Power is concentrated / dispersed in different systems
Organization of power
British Westminster system European took
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Colonies adopted (colony took mother)
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Latin America
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Countries influenced by USA = presidential system
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Unitary system of government
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Elect House of Commons, leader = Prime Minister
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Canada: House of Commons and Senate
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Westminster = Crown asks winning party to form government
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David Johnston, Governor General (Crown of Canada)
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170+ seats, become government
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Majority government
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Not 170, but more than any others
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Non-confidence = new election, could lose power
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Minority
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No party holds the majority
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Largest party doesn't want to be a minority - enters into a coalition
with another party --> have to compromise and give up certain
positions
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Coalition
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Possible election outcomes
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Amended in 2007: must hold 4th calendar year after or before that
(sooner)
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Elections are called when it suits the party - it thinks that it will win
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No independent source of power
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One source of power / branch: everyone's power voted same (elected, member
of house of commons)
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Legislative: proposals go to house, every approval by house = approval /
support of government
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Power
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Choose what is or is not even mentioned
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Cabinet sets agenda: what is discussed
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Spending bill: government can ignore even if it is passed
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First reading, 2nd reading, committee, report, third reading, senate, royal
assent
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Line of accountability runs up, MP can be removed if they fail to
vote party line
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MP votes with party, leader decides which way to vote
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Free votes: doesn't rely on party decisions
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Can legally criticize government, key feature of democracy
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Opposition gets special funding status
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Legislative process
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Chosen, not elected
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Serve until 75 --> life term
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Harper's attention to senate
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Senate
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Parliamentary System
Lecture 1.5: Presidents and Parliaments
October 17, 2016
12:00 PM
LECTURES Page 11
Document Summary
Power is concentrated / dispersed in different systems. Elect house of commons, leader = prime minister. Westminster = crown asks winning party to form government. Largest party doesn"t want to be a minority - enters into a coalition with another party --> have to compromise and give up certain positions. Elections are called when it suits the party - it thinks that it will win. Amended in 2007: must hold 4th calendar year after or before that (sooner) One source of power / branch: everyone"s power voted same (elected, member of house of commons) Legislative: proposals go to house, every approval by house = approval / support of government. Choose what is or is not even mentioned. Spending bill: government can ignore even if it is passed. First reading, 2nd reading, committee, report, third reading, senate, royal assent. Mp votes with party, leader decides which way to vote.
