The definition of POLITICS taken from Wikipedia is as follows:
Politics (from Greek: πολιτικός politikos, meaning "of, for, or relating to citizens") is the practice and theory of influencing other people on a global, civic or individual level. More narrowly, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance— organized control over a human community, particularly a state. Furthermore, politics is the study or practice of the distribution of power and resources within a given community (a hierarchically organized population) as well as the interrelationship(s) between communities. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics Date accessed: Oct 4, 2014)
What does this mean? Basically that it is the business of running a community. This can be on a small scale (like in a small business or village) to large scale (like an entire nation).
Canada's politics, like all countries, has changed over time and is STILL changing today. Read the text provided to get a general idea of how it changed from the mid 1800s, to the parliamentary system we know today.
A topic that many of my students find interesting relates to political ideology. An ideology is like a big idea or a collection of ideas. Political ideologies are big ideas or a collection of ideas, that answer two main questions:
- How society should be organized. (What type of government works best and what does a great society look like?)
- What is the most appropriate way to achieve this goal. (What type of economic system AND government system work together to get this 'great' society?)
Some of the most common political ideologies include:
- Democracy
- Monarchy
- Autocracy (Dictatorship, Totalitarianism, Despotism)
- Communism
- Capitalism
- Socialism
There are many, many others, but these are the one's you might have heard of. We can add more the list.. just let me know!
TASK: With a partner, research one political ideology. What is it all about? Are there examples of this ideology being practiced in the world today? Where? Give examples.
Write a one-two page document with a partner that explains and provides examples of one political ideology being practiced in today's world. The document should include:
- Definition and explanation of the ideology, its goals, and how it works.
- Founding authors of the ideology including country of origin
- Where the ideology is being practiced today (several examples if applicable)
- What is your opinion about this ideology?
- Your opinion about this ideology and if relevant, how it might compare with what we have in Canada.