实践主题Topic: different political systems

Discuss your understanding of, or reflection on different political systems.

实践目标Objective of the practice:

To invite and share personal opinions with others

To have a better knowledge on different political systems

To apply the words and expressions

实践任务Tasks:

Discuss your reflections with your friends or classmates.

Refer to the aspects we have discussed in this unit.

实践要求Requirements:

Write down what has come to your mind during your thinking and discussion, and organize them into a neat essay.

Sample

Introduce one of the political systems in CANZI. Try to provide more details. You can chose one of the branches as you like to introduce.

 

教师解析：

What is the Canadian Constitution?

Constitution as a Political Rule book

Generally speaking, a constitution is a system or code that establishes the rules and principles by which an organization is governed. Many different types of organizations have constitutions, ranging from companies, to voluntary organizations, to political parties. The Canadian Constitution is an example of a particular type of constitution, usually referred to as a governmental or national constitution. In this context, the Canadian Constitution establishes the rules and principles that govern the operation of government and political life in Canada. It represents, in essence, the basic “rule book” of Canadian politics, setting out the nation’s fundamental political principles, the powers and duties of government, and the rights and privileges of citizens.

Governing Key Political Relations

As the basic rule book for Canadian politics, the Constitution governs several key political relations in Canadian society. First, it establishes basic principles and rules that govern the relationship between citizens and the state. In this context the state is understood as encompassing all branches (executive, legislative, and judicial)and levels (federal, provincial, territorial, and local)of government. The Constitution empowers the state (or parts of it)to deliberate, enact, and implement laws that will govern the life of citizens. At the same time, the Constitution also recognizes important citizen rights that limit how the state may exercise this power and authority. Secondly, the Constitution provides the basic principles and rules that govern the relationship between different parts of the state. It establishes the distribution of functions and powers between the different parts or branches of government, such as between the political executive (Monarch and Cabinet), the legislatures (House of Commons and Senate), and the judiciary (Canada’s courts). The Constitution also provides the basic rules governing the relationship between different levels of government, such as the federal (or national), provincial and territorial (regional), and local governments.

Supreme Law and Constitutionalism

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law in Canada. This means the principles and rules contained within it have a special legal status in Canadian political society. In the first place, the Constitution takes precedence over all other Canadian laws. When inconsistency occurs with another law, the Constitution is always recognized as being preeminent (it is often the case that the other law will be declared ‘unconstitutional’ because of this inconsistency and, as a result, will have no legal force). Furthermore, this notion of supremacy carries with it the principle of Constitutionalism. Under this principle, no political actor or institution is above the principles and norms as defined by the Constitution. Regardless of whether one is the Monarch, the Prime Minister of Canada, a provincial Premier, or an elected representative in a legislature, all are legally obligated to act in accordance with the constitutional rule book.