Political Information

1. Political Details.
US: Democratic Republic
Canada: Federal Constitutional Monarchy
The United States has a democratic republic. Citizens vote for government officials.
Then, these elected officials vote on laws and regulations in the country. This system allows the
government to have control over what happens, but it also gives the citizens a say in events.
While this seems to be a perfect system, it has its upsides and flaws. Also, the government in
the United States was not always this way.
The US began as a colony ruled by the British. For this period, it was under a monarchy,
where a king or queen inherits power and rules. After gaining independence, the states were
bound under the Articles of Confederation. They lacked a central government and could not
make decisions. Then, the Constitution was drafted, and the US began to take on its current
democratic republic. Although it is much better than the loose confederation, the current
government still has flaws.
The democratic form of government has many good parts, but it can be criticized in
multiple ways. The peoples votes for president are not the deciding factor, as the electoral
college makes the final decision. Also, not all citizens end up voting; there are many completely
clueless about the government. Third, economic power is not distributed equally, causing a
large gap between poor and rich. Despite these flaws, democracy still has many bright sides.
In the US democracy, all citizens can voice their opinions by voting. They will not face
discrimination from the government, as many basic freedoms are secured. The voting system
allows laws to be changed when it is necessary. Finally, this system ensures that officials are
only elected if they are fit for the office.
In democracy, there are two major parties: democratic and republican. The democrats
are liberal, and they support LGBT rights, abortion, immigration, and healthcare for all citizens.
They want to end discrimination and stop climate change. Republicans are conservative; their
views oppose LGBT rights, abortion, public healthcare, and immigration. They also do not
support stopping climate change.
Canada was initially governed remotely by Britain, making it a colony. In 1867, the
Constitution act was passed, creating the Canadian federation. In 1931, it gained full jurisdiction
over its own country, essentially establishing independence. However, official independence
only arrived in 1982, when Britain passed the 1982 Constitution Act. They added the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms this year to ensure that citizens are represented and protected.
Today, Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories.
While Canadas government is a thriving one, it does have its criticisms and its
disadvantages. Now, the stability which a lifelong monarch provides can also come with its
negative connotations. A Monarch having a lifelong term also means that they cannot be
removed from their position in any circumstances. Regardless of any ways they may get into
trouble or how poorly they perform in their duties, they are ultimately indomitable. As well, a
constitutional monarchy comes with class entitlement. Only a very select few are born to be a
Monarch, which adds fuel to the detrimental system of thought that in order to be successful,
you must be born into the right family. That hard work is not enough and it is not possible to
come from little or nothing.
Among the advantages the Canadian government has is the balance of power. The
monarch is really more of a symbolic leader than one who has legitimate power. When running
the country is at hand, the Monarch doesnt hold much weight. It is the government and
parliament who have the say, with the Monarch having no platform to overrule any decisions.
While this balance of power may be negative in some ways, it also prevents a king or queen
from becoming overly powerful. Another big advantage is the continuity of a constitutional
monarchy. Because the term of a Monarch is a lifelong one, it provides the country with stability
which benefits both the citizens and countries which ally with Canada.
The Canadian government has 4 major parties. The Conservative Party of Canada,
Green Party, Liberal Party, and the New Democratic Party (NDP). The Green Party wants to
help protect the air, water, and land that sustain us. The Conservative Party of Canada is similar
to US Conservatives, wanting lower taxes and decentralized federal powers, along with a
tougher standpoint on law and order. The NDP strives to represent every citizen and aims to
meet needs of individuals rather than corporations. The Liberal Partys goals are for increased
rights, honest and supportive government, and help for the low/middle class.

2. Maps.
USA Maps:
Canada Maps
3. Changing Boundaries.

The United States, originally, consisted of merely thirteen colonies. These formed
the east coast of North America. As technology advanced, people spread further
west until they reached California in a process known as Manifest Destiny. By 1959,
the Continental United States had been formed. Hawaii and Alaska were added this
year. Naturally, these changing boundaries were subject to dispute with bordering
countries, British rulers, and Native Americans in the land. However, the United
States pushed on and acquired more land as the years passed. Canada started off
in Quebec and Ontario. The Northwest territories were added but not policed, as
they were too massive. Manitoba was created, followed by British Columbia on the
opposite coast. By now, Canada surrounded the interior land, and they were able to
claim it over time.
4. Colonization.
Colonization effects on the region:
Canada socially: politically: economically: Environmentally
Uses technology Constitutional The ages of Carbon pollution
for use now monarchy - The retirement have is created from
designed in Queen or King of increased, the current
colonial era. Canada is the people tend to technology.
While more head of state & work longer. Land has been
advanced than the Prime changed by
earlier, the Minister is the colonists.
technology still head of
has influences government .
from colonists. Citizens have
freedom but
Queen or King
has authority of
province.

United States socially: politically: economically: Environmentally:

Created Federal Jobs have Tragic events
technology to constitutional progressed into have caused the
communicate or republic so many , and U.S. citizens
for other uses. government - both women & fear.
The trails people have men having Greenhouse
implemented in freedom but careers. gases are
the early years rules must be decreasing.
still exist today. followed

5. Political Issues.
1. Gun control in the US has become a major issue among citizens, and a hot topic of
debate. Danger has been rising due to our looseness on the issue. The country is
divided right now in relation to the laws they enforce, with many states having a different
stance on the issue. States in the Western US such as Nevada, Arizona, Montana, and
Utah enforce the stand your ground law. This is a less strict and more dangerous law,
as it allows you to open fire against someone who you perceive to be posing a threat of
bodily harm. Extreme risk protection orders have been issued in other Western states,
meaning guns can be owned but can be taken away if you are deemed a threat to
yourself or those around you. Canada has a gun control issue because of the US
flexibility on the issue. People have been smuggling guns into Canada from the US.
Border control has a rising number of guns they have been seizing over the years. 70%
of guns used in homicides have been reportedly smuggled from the US. It is obvious that
much of Canadas gun problem stems from the US, and they are doing everything they
 can to limit and fix it. We, the US, should be doing the same, both for the benefit of
ourselves and our Canadian neighbors.
2. Another political issue affecting both the US and Canada is the treatment of indigenous
people. The US has been seizing land from the Native Americans because they feel they
have priority for it, and because of the resources which are on it. Specifically, a political
debate is about the building of the Dakota Pipeline. The cause of all the chaos is the
many different views on Native American owned land, and how the building of the
pipeline would result in intrusion on Native American land and pollution of that land. It is
heavily debated about what should be changed, if anything at all, or if we are treating
these people fairly. Canada, on the other hand, treats these people better than us, but
still not so well. The Canadian government has been providing the aboriginals with
funds, but many Canadian citizens feel that this spending could go elsewhere. It is
another example where we must contemplate that Native Americans are people too, and
we must figure out the right way to treat them.
3. Immigration is another hot political issue we have encountered. Bad and dangerous
living conditions in Mexico and and multitude of reason for Canadian immigration to the
US are among the main reasons why the US has so many immigrants. The state of
California has more than 10 million immigrants and accounts for about one in four of the
internationally born population. Immigration into Southwestern Canada is also prevalent
because of their better and more modern health care policies. Many sick people in need
cannot afford the healthcare which the US has to argue, and with Canadas more lenient
and open supply of healthcare, it is attractive for sick Americans.

6. Social Welfare.
Canada as well as United States have many programs to help those people in need in the
health, education, housing, and other areas. Some of Canadas programs are Old Age Security,
Canada Child Tax Benefit, Employment Insurance, and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
United Statess programs include Food Stamps, Housing Assistance, General Assistance Cash,
and Medicaid.
Canada Social Welfare-
The United States Social Welfare-

Political Information Sources:

https://occupytheory.org/list-of-pros-and-cons-of-constitutional-monarchy/
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Canada
https://www.ontario.ca/page/history-government
https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Canadian-Political-Parties-What-they-Represent
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https://greengarageblog.org/12-vital-pros-and-cons-of-democracy
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diffe.html
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http://www.maps-world.net/usa/historical-map.htm
https://www.worldmapsonline.com/unitedstates1810.htm
http://www.compromise-of-1850.org/maps/
http://www.emapsworld.com/usa-political-map.htm
https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/federal_budget_estimate_vs_actual_2017