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Comparing Political Systems

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Comparing Political Systems

Read the country profiles in the comparison grid. Then answer the questions using evidence from the grid and your knowledge of political systems. Remember: a comparison can identify similarities as well as differences.

Two systems, two approaches

Canada and China are both large countries with national governments, legislatures and laws. Their political systems differ in how leaders are selected and how citizens can influence national decisions. Use the information below as evidence; it describes national-level institutions and does not include every local or regional variation.

Feature

Canada

China

System and political parties

A federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Several parties compete in elections.

A one-party state led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC is the only party governing at the national level.

Choosing national leaders

Voters elect members of Parliament (MPs) in their local ridings. The party with the confidence of the House of Commons forms government; its leader usually becomes prime minister.

Citizens do not choose national leaders through a competitive, multiparty national election. The CPC selects its top leadership through party processes; the National People’s Congress formally elects the president.

Law-making

Federal laws are debated and passed by Parliament, which includes the elected House of Commons and the appointed Senate, then receive royal assent.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) is formally the highest state organ and passes national laws. The NPC meets annually; its Standing Committee carries out many functions between sessions.

Participation and accountability

Citizens aged 18 or older can vote in federal elections. People can also contact representatives, join civic groups, speak publicly and criticize government. Governments must maintain the confidence of the elected House of Commons.

Citizens can participate in local-level elections and public consultation, and can raise concerns through official channels. National political competition is limited to the CPC; national leaders are not removed through competitive multiparty elections.

Read, compare, reason

Use the grid as your evidence source. For questions asking for a judgement, more than one carefully supported answer may be reasonable.

1.Which description best fits Canada’s national political system?

A one-party state
A federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
A direct democracy with no legislature
A military government

2.In Canada, voters elect MPs. Explain how this can lead to a person becoming prime minister.

3.True or false: Citizens in China choose their national leaders in a competitive election between multiple political parties.

TrueFalse

4.Name one national body that makes laws in each country, then describe one difference in how the two systems work.

5.Match each political term to its meaning.

Accountability
Participation
One-party state

Taking part in public or political activities.
Leaders or governments must explain decisions and answer for their actions.
A political system in which one party governs nationally.

6.Give one similarity between Canada and China in how citizens can participate in public life, using a detail from the grid.

7.Which system in the grid gives citizens a more direct electoral way to change the national government? Support your answer with one piece of evidence.

8.A student says, “Because the NPC passes laws, every Chinese citizen directly chooses every national law.” Explain why this conclusion does not follow from the grid.

9.Write a short paragraph comparing how citizens influence national decisions in Canada and China. Include at least two specific details from the grid and explain what those details show.

10.Complete the claim with evidence: “A key difference between Canada’s and China’s political systems is …” Include one accurate detail about each country.