How has Britain’s political system impacted Canada’s political system (e.g., how, to a great extent, it’s modelled on it in the type of government we have, legal system, etc.)? Make sure to also include the influence of the English Bill of Rights and John Locke
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Britain's political system has had a significant impact on Canada's political system in several ways. The most notable influence is the adoption of a parliamentary system of government, which is modeled after the British system.
1. Parliamentary System: Canada follows a constitutional monarchy parliamentary system, similar to the one in Britain. This means that the head of state (the monarch) is separate from the head of government (the Prime Minister). The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Parliament and is responsible for forming the government.
2. Legal System: Canada's legal system is based on the English common law tradition, which originated in Britain. The principles and doctrines of English law, including the adversarial legal process, precedent-based judgments, and the concept of the rule of law, comprise a significant part of Canada's legal framework.
3. English Bill of Rights: The English Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689, played a crucial role in shaping Canada's political system. Many of its provisions, such as the guarantee of free parliamentary elections, the protection against excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to petition the king, were incorporated into Canada's constitution and later evolved into important rights and freedoms.
4. Influence of John Locke: John Locke, an English philosopher, greatly influenced the development of modern democratic principles, including his ideas on natural rights and limited government. His theory of the consent of the governed and the social contract heavily influenced British and Canadian political thinking. Locke's ideas were instrumental in shaping concepts such as individual rights, representative government, and limitations on government power in Canada.
In summary, Britain's political system has had a profound impact on Canada's political system, from its parliamentary model of government to the adoption of English common law principles. Additionally, the English Bill of Rights and the ideas of John Locke have played a significant role in shaping the legal and political framework of Canada.