Current State of Affairs

A modern democracy implies certain rights for citizens:
* right to elect government through free and fair elections
* participation
* the rule of law
* human rights, such as:
freedom of speech
Freedom of assembly
Freedom from discrimination
While Canada certainly exists as a democratic society, many can examine problems within our current world in part as a failure of government structures that allow problems to continue. How will future generations develop tools, institutions and rules to help solve and mediate problems in the future?

POSITIVE
• Increasing technologies to allow “on-line” voting municipal elections
• Expansion of democratic, open governments worldwide
• Transparency and the free sharing of information/decisions with all citizens
• Increased media coverage and opportunity for citizens to voice their viewpoints

NEGATIVE
• the decline of participation in the democratic process in modern democracies
• the establishment of “political dynasties” in multiple party systems,
• difficulty for new parties, new governments or different voices to be heard
• the further creation of issue based, single issue candidates in many systems
• the needs of many disenfranchised citizenry not being met by those in power

INTERESTING
There have been many movements towards a more Global and World Centered approach to governing ( i.e. United Nations ), many also see the impacts of globalization on world corporations, the formation of regional trading blocks and political systems (European Union, North American Free Trade ) as having even greater influence on our world.

Blasts from the Past

A democracy is a form of government in which ordinary citizens may take part in governing, in contrast with monarchy or dictatorship. In contemporary usage, democracy is often understood as the same as liberal democracy.

The word democracy originates from the Greek "demos" meaning "the people" and "kratein" meaning "to rule" or "the people to rule" which meant literally: "Rule by the People." The term is also sometimes used as a measurement of how much influence a people have over their government, as in how much democracy exists.

While governments provide service to their citizens, the nature and range of services provided is often dictated by the needs, and directions by those in power in response to the conditions present in the society.

Future World

What changes do you see in place for government in our future society?

Will World Government be developed? Can it be effective?

Will new political structures evolve? Or will the present model Continue?

What will Governments continue to see as important to provide for their citizenry?

Overview

What are the future trends of government in the 21st century?
What will governments provide for their citizens?
How will people participate in local, provincial, federal governments?
What future changes could we see based on technological/social changes?

1. Start by reading about the past, present and future by following the above links to Blasts from the Past, Current State of Affairs, and Future World.
   
   
2. You can then explore
   External Links for Politics & Government
   
   http://www.democracywatch.org/
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
   http://canada.gc.ca/
   http://www.un.org
   
   
3. Finally, Participate in Pre-NEXUS Discussions.

Refine your ideas and clarify your perceptions via discussions with your peers. You can access and participate in discussions via the NEXUS.eBoard.com conference site (student password = nexus).

* At NEXUS, you and your peers will further refine and publish your ideas.