comparative democracies: political systems in canada and the us donald alper department of political...
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Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and
the US
Donald Alper
Department of Political ScienceCenter for Canadian-American Studies
Western Washington University
Presented at the NCSS Annual ConferenceSeattle, WA
November 17, 2012
Two Democracies
• Canada = Constitutional Monarchy
• US = Republic
Two Federal Systems
14 governments
(excluding First Nations)
1 federal
10 provincial
3 territorial
Characteristics of Can Federal System
• More decentralized in Canada
– provinces exert greater power than states
-fewer; serve as regional
power centers-distrib. of powers
different
• French-English ‘accommodation’
– Quebec = French-speaking homeland within Canada
– cutural and regional autonomy coincide
• In US—states have strong/equal rep in national government via US Senate
• In Canada—no elected/ equal senate to represent provincial interests
A Closer Look at Pol Structure and Provinces’ & States’ Influence
House of Commons is based on rep by pop-thus huge inequality in provincial clout at national level
Ontario 106
Québec 75
British Columbia 36
Alberta 28
Manitoba 14
Saskatechewan 14
Nova Scotia 11
New Brunswick 10
Nfld and Labrador 7
Prince Edward Island 4
Yukon 1
NWT 1
Nunavut 1
Total 308
House of Commons Representation by Province
181 = 60%
92 = 30%}}
Parliamentary v. Presidential-Congressional Systems: Comparative Framework
United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers
Role of Legislative BodiesUS Congress
(House and Senate)
• House and Senate roughly equal in power and influence
• Strong, independent powers to legislate
Canadian Parliament(Commons and Senate)
• House of Commons focus of power; carries out will of majority party
• Unelected senate, mostly advisory• Opposition principle built into House of
Commons• Question Period
United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers
Government and Opposition
Note the “face-off” architecture of The House of Commons
Question Period: A Unique Parliamentary Institution
See: Model Parliamentary UnitTeaching File
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/mpu/index_e.asp
Have students simulate question period.
Assign roles such as PM, Leaders of Opposition parties, cabinet ministers, etc.
Party Seats Popular Vote
Conservative 166 40%
New Democratic Party 103 31%
Liberal 34 19%
Bloc Québécois 4 6%
Green Party 1 4%
Independent/Other 0 1%
TOTAL 308
A Minority Government 2008 A Majority Government 2011
Majority & Minority Governments
Have the students work out the numbers and likely partners in a possible coalition government
Party Seats Popular Vote
Conservative 143 38%
Liberal 77 26%
Bloc Québécois 49 10%
New Democratic Party 37 18%
Green Party 0 7%
Independent/Other 2 1%
TOTAL 308
Province or Territory
Number of Senators
British Columbia 6
Alberta 6
Ontario 24
Quebec 24
Manitoba 6
Saskatchewan 6
Nova Scotia 10
Newfoundland and Labrador
6
New Brunswick 10
Northwest Territories
1
Prince Edward Island
4
Yukon 1
Nunavut 1
Total 105
Canadian Senate—Distribution of Seats (2012)
Political Parties & Leaders
To access Study Canada slide presentations on this and other topics click on:
http://www.k12studycanada.org/resources_pps.html