Western democracies are referred to as representative democracies. They share a common ideology. However, when they transform theory into practice, differences occur. One important difference is a matter of emphasis. Should a system emphasize liberal or responsible principles? The United States, like most presidential systems emphasize liberal ideals. Their system has more checks on government power based on fear of excessive government control of society. Canada, like most parliamentary systems, emphasizes the principles of responsible government. The Canadian system is more effective in expressing the will of the people by allowing government (especially majority government) to govern with relatively fewer checks or hindrance from balancing power.
**Which system is better?
When you ask "which system is better?" are you referring to Canada vs the United States?
Sra
United States had liberal principles and Canada has responsible principles. So which is better? i think that's what its saying.
Whoa! I disagree with your last statement. Please see my last post with definitions of liberal and responsible.
In Western democracies, the terms "liberal" and "responsible" in this context refer to different approaches in the functioning of the political system. Liberal principles focus on limiting government power, protecting individual rights, and promoting personal freedoms. Responsible principles, on the other hand, prioritize the accountability of the government to the people and the effective governance of the country.
When it comes to the emphasis on liberal or responsible principles, the United States and Canada serve as examples of different approaches within Western democracies. The United States, as a presidential system, places a significant emphasis on liberal ideals. This means there are more checks and balances in place to limit the power of the government. This approach is rooted in a historical fear of excessive government control and a desire to protect individual liberties.
In contrast, Canada and other parliamentary systems tend to emphasize responsible government principles. This means the government has more flexibility and authority to govern, especially in cases where there is a majority government. The focus here is on effectively translating the will of the people into policy, allowing the government to act with relatively fewer hindrances from balancing power.
Understanding this difference in emphasis helps highlight the varied approaches to governance in Western democracies. It's important to note that while these principles provide a broad framework, the actual implementation and functioning of democracy within a specific country can be influenced by a range of factors, including historical context, cultural values, and the specific constitutional arrangements of each country.