Political Challenges to Liberalism

1
Political Challenges to Liberalism

• Chapter 10

2
To what extent should government reflect the will
of the people?

• To answer this you need to know. . .

3
Does government serve or lead the people?

• How can government determine the will of the
  people?
• What are the weaknesses in democracy?
• What are the characteristics of a direct
  democracy?
• How is direct democracy reflected in modern
  democracies?
• Initiatives, referendums and recalls
• How are elected representatives held accountable?

4
Does government serve or lead the people?

• What are the characteristics of representative
  democracy?
• What is responsible government?
• How does Canadas parliamentary democracy work?
• Non-confidence votes?
• Representation by population?
• Single-member constituencies?
• Members of Parliament?
• Role of the House of Commons Senate?

5
Does government serve or lead the people?

• How does the USAs republican democracy work?
• What is a republic?
• What is meant by checks balances?
• What is the US Congress?
• House of Representaives?
• Senate?
• What is the Electoral College and its role?
• What are initiatives?

6
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the US
and Canadian systems?

• Which system does a better job of reflecting the
  will of the people?
• Which system is more effective? Efficient?
  Democratic?

7
What is proportional representation?

• Why does PR encourage smaller parties?
• What is more democratic single member
  constituency or proportional representation
  systems?
• How would Parliament in Canada be different if PR
  was used? How might politics change?

8
What challenges do democracies face?

• Voter turnout?
• Should voting be mandatory?
• What is the elite theory of democracy?
• What role does lobbying play in government?
• What is the tyranny of the majority?
• Is the will of the people always consistent with
  the principles of liberal democracy?
• Should practicality or the common good trump
  popular opinion?
• Homeless shelters?
• The Loonie?

9
What is consensus decision making?

• Where is it practiced?
• Nunavut and the NWT?
• Quakers?
• How does it work?
• What are its strengths and weaknesses?

10
What is authoritarianism?

• What forms do authoritarian systems take?
• What are oligarchies?
• What are one-party states?
• What are military dictatorships?
• How are authoritarian systems of government
  collective?
• What techniques do authoritarian governments use?
• Vision, Propaganda, Directing Popular Discontent,
• Controlled Participation, Terror
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of
  authoritarianism?