Chapter 1: Canada’s Regime
Regime definition: A form of government and the underlying political principles that are
the basis for that type of government
To what purpose do rulers rule?
Who rules: For the common good: For their own interest:
One Kingship Tyranny
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity (Constitutional Democracy
Democracy)
Equality and Democracy:
- Political power to all citizens
● Direct democracy: all citizens are directly involved in decisions
● Representative democracy
1. Modern democracies are too large for direct democracy
2. Ensures candidates that are best fit for the job
Regime belongs to us equally:
1. Anyone can run for office
2. The people elected are accountable to the people
Liberty:
● Liberalism: we may do what we wish if there’s no law against it
● Natural rights: our human rights, no one may take them away (the US constitution
has these)
● Utilitarian: rights are created in each regime in response to circumstance (Canada’s
constitution has this)
+ Harm principle: governments shouldn’t interfere with actions of people if
they aren’t harming anyone
3 General Principles:
1. Protection of the private sphere
2. Respect for minority rights
3. The rule of law
a. Government is not above the law
b. The law must be applied equally
c. Action by the government must be grounded in legal authority
Regime definition: A form of government and the underlying political principles that are
the basis for that type of government
To what purpose do rulers rule?
Who rules: For the common good: For their own interest:
One Kingship Tyranny
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity (Constitutional Democracy
Democracy)
Equality and Democracy:
- Political power to all citizens
● Direct democracy: all citizens are directly involved in decisions
● Representative democracy
1. Modern democracies are too large for direct democracy
2. Ensures candidates that are best fit for the job
Regime belongs to us equally:
1. Anyone can run for office
2. The people elected are accountable to the people
Liberty:
● Liberalism: we may do what we wish if there’s no law against it
● Natural rights: our human rights, no one may take them away (the US constitution
has these)
● Utilitarian: rights are created in each regime in response to circumstance (Canada’s
constitution has this)
+ Harm principle: governments shouldn’t interfere with actions of people if
they aren’t harming anyone
3 General Principles:
1. Protection of the private sphere
2. Respect for minority rights
3. The rule of law
a. Government is not above the law
b. The law must be applied equally
c. Action by the government must be grounded in legal authority
