Plato and Aristotle

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Plato and Aristotle

• Were the first to classify governments according
  to types of rulers
• This is referred to as a Typology
• Both Plato and Aristotle were more concerned with
  whether or not the government was lawful or
  lawless.

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Plato

• Plato

• Described the human instinct to seek social
  connections to meet basic needs
• Described the human soul as a chariot with white
  and black horses representing the good and bad in
  the soul. The rider of the chariot is the
  controller good judgment.

• The goal of humanity is to bring about happiness
  within the community. If the community is happy,
  then the individual citizens are happy.
• Stressed an ideal structure of society and state.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vWgPJUTltITk

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Aristotle

• Aristotle

• Inspired by Plato
• philosophically questioned the nature of good and
  evil.
• After Platos failed attempts at correcting a
  societal structure, Aristotle stressed ideals,
  morality and ethics.

• The realization of oneself was the greatest good
• Good people do not need laws to tell them to act
  responsibly, while bad people will find a way
  around the laws.

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Rick Mercer Rant Attack Adds

• The human condition often prevents good judgment.
• Do you think that the notion of the common good
  is at the fore front of Canadian politicians
  agenda? Or does personal interest often take
  priority?
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v5CAyoHa17HEfeature
  player_embedded

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Types of Government - Terminology

• Aristocracy

• Oligarchy

• Form of government where by which a few popular,
  wealthy individuals control major political
  power. Their intentions were for the common
  good.

• A small group ruling for personal interest
  instead of the good of the community.

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Terminology continued

• Polity

• Democracy

• Government ruled by many exercising authority
  within a constitutional framework that prevents
  the oppression of minorities.

• Mob rule - the rule of the many outside of any
  legal structure.

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Answers to Politics diagnostic quiz

• Regional and Municipal explained
• Regional governments have jurisdiction over an
  area instead of just a town.
• City hall would be one central location
• Municipal governments have jurisdiction over one
  specific town.
• City Hall would be located in that town
• Regional governments therefore are a form of
  municipal governments, but the other way around.

• 1. The three branches of government are
• Legislative, executive and judicial
• 2. The four levels of government are (this was a
  tricky one)
• a. National (federal)
• b. Sub-national (provincial)
• c. Regional can be municipal
• d. Municipal not necessarily regional

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Answers continued

• Rick Norlock Federal MP
• Lou Rinaldi Provincial MP
• John Williams Quinte West Mayor

• 3. Quinte West Representation
• Federal Rick Norlock
• Provincial Lou Rinaldi
• Regional / Municipal John Williams

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• Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty
• Canadian Prime Minister

• 4. Head of Government for Quinte West is called
  the Mayor
• 5. Head of Government for Ontario is called
  Premier
• 6. Head of Government for Canada is called Prime
  Minister

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• Lieutenant Governor of Ontario His Honour, the
  Honourable David Onley
• Governor General of Canada His Excellency, the
  Right Honourable David Johnston

• 7. Head of State for Ontario Lieutenant Governor
• 8. Head of State for Canada Governor General

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• Ontario Legislature Queens Park
• Current House of Commons
• Canadian Senate

• 9. 107 representatives in the Ontario Legislatire
• 10. 308 Seats in the House of Commons
• 11. 105 Senators in the Canadian Senate

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• 12. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
• 13. 4 Main Political Parties in Canada
• Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Bloc Quebequois
• 14. The Role of the Governor General
• Represents the Queen (Sovereign) in Canada. The
  Canadian Governor General is more of a ceremonial
  / symbolic.

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15. Home of the Governor General Rideau Hall
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• 24 Sussex Drive Home of Canadas Prime Minister

• 16. Canada has had 22 different people serve as
  Prime Minister. There have been a total of 27
  terms served.
• 17. The Prime Minister lives at 24 Sussex Drive
  in Ottawa one of 6 residences owned by
  Canadian Federal Government.
• 18. Speakers in both Houses of Parliament are
  called Referee

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• 19. All heads of the government ministries are
  called Ministers
• 20. Heads of Ministries are appointed to their
  jobs by the Prime Minister
• 21. MPs are elected to work for the good of the
  citizens of Canada
• 22. Minimum Requirements of an MP are 18 years
  old
• 23. MPs keep their job as long as the party is
  in power
• 24. Governor General apponts the Senators on the
  recommendations of the Prime Minister

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25. Minimum Requirements of a Senator

• one must be at least 30 years of age
• must possess land worth at least 4,000 in the
  province for which he or she is appointed
• and must own real and personal property worth at
  least 4,000, above his or her debts and
  liabilities.

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26. Senator Tenure Bill of 2006

• New bill was introduced that clearly defined the
  length of senators term
• 8 years long
• Existing senators could remain in power until
  they reached 75 years of age

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27. The Governor General is appointed.

• The Prime Minister suggests a name to the
  Monarch, to which she either agrees or disagrees.
  
• The deciding factor in who is appointed, comes
  down to the Queen.

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28. There are no minimum requirements of a
Governor General

• Although the Prime Ministers suggestion to the
  Monarch would probably be based on notable
  accomplishments and Canadian citizenship

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• 29. The Governor General gets to keep his or her
  job for at least 5 years.
• 30. Each political party votes in a
  representative. If the party gets a majority of
  seats in the house of Commons, that person is now
  the Prime Minister.
• 31. The minimum requirements of a prime minister
  You must be at least 18 years old, and be a
  member of parliament.

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In Class Task

• Read pages 4-6 of the text. Please answer
  questions 2 4.