Question
Describe the 2 types of representative democracies used by Canada and the USA respectively. How are they different from each other? Identify and explain which type best reflects the will of the people. Provide specific comparisons to support your response.
Solution
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(257 Votes)
Harold
Elite ยท Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Canada uses a **parliamentary democracy**, while the USA uses a **presidential democracy**. Both are representative democracies, meaning citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, but they differ significantly in how these representatives are chosen and how the government functions.**Parliamentary Democracy (Canada):*** **Head of Government:** The Prime Minister, who is the leader of the party that holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons (the lower house of Parliament).* **Executive Branch:** Formed from the elected members of the legislative branch. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are responsible to the Parliament.* **Legislative Branch:** Proposes and passes laws. The Prime Minister and Cabinet need the support of the legislature to stay in power. A "vote of no confidence" can trigger new elections.* **Head of State:** A largely ceremonial role, separate from the head of government. In Canada, this is the Monarch (King of Canada), represented by the Governor General.**Presidential Democracy (USA):*** **Head of Government & State:** The President, elected separately from the legislature.* **Executive Branch:** Headed by the President, who appoints the Cabinet. The executive branch is independent of the legislature.* **Legislative Branch:** Congress (composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives) makes laws. The President can veto legislation, but Congress can override the veto with a supermajority.* **Fixed Terms:** The President and members of Congress serve fixed terms, regardless of whether they maintain popular support.**Which system best reflects the will of the people?**This is a complex question with no easy answer. Both systems have strengths and weaknesses regarding representing the popular will.Arguments for **parliamentary systems** reflecting the will of the people better:* **Greater responsiveness:** Since the executive branch depends on the legislature's confidence, the government is more likely to be responsive to the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives. If the government loses the support of the people, it can be removed more easily than in a presidential system.* **Less gridlock:** With the executive and legislative branches aligned, there is typically less gridlock and a greater ability to pass legislation that reflects the ruling party's platform, which presumably reflects the will of the voters who elected them.Arguments for **presidential systems** reflecting the will of the people better:* **Direct election of the executive:** The President is directly elected by the people, giving them a clear mandate to govern. In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is not directly chosen by the voters but by the party that controls the legislature.* **Checks and balances:** The separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches provides checks and balances that prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This can protect minority interests and prevent the "tyranny of the majority" that can sometimes occur in parliamentary systems.* **Stability:** Fixed terms provide stability, as the government cannot be easily toppled by shifts in legislative support. This can allow for long-term planning and policy implementation.**Comparison:**| Feature | Parliamentary (Canada) | Presidential (USA) ||---|---|---|| Executive-Legislative Relationship | Fused | Separate || Head of Government | Prime Minister (chosen by the legislature) | President (directly elected) || Removal of Executive | Vote of no confidence | Impeachment || Stability | Potentially less stable | More stable || Responsiveness to Popular Will | Arguably more responsive | Arguably less responsive, but with more checks on power |Ultimately, whether a parliamentary or presidential system better reflects the will of the people depends on how well the specific institutions function in practice and the broader political culture of the country. Both systems have mechanisms for representing the popular will, but they do so in different ways with different trade-offs.