Government Revision

1. Definition- An elected group of people who rule with authority over a country.

Government Systems

1. Constitutional Monarchy- Queen/ Governor General

St Lucia, Jamaica, Bahamas

2. Republic- President

3. Crown Colony- Queen/Governor General

Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Turks, Montserrat

Branches of Government

1. The Legislative- Upper house- Senate

Lower House- House of Representatives.

Function

i. Pass, Repeal and amend laws

ii. Approves the National Budget

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2. The Executive- Cabinet/Parliament- Prime Minister, Various Ministers

Function

i. Decide the Country’s budget

ii. Introduces policies and plans

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3. Judiciary- police and court systems

Function

i. To interpret the laws.

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Role of Police

1. Protect life and Property

2. Prevent crime

3. Protect victims and society.

Court System

Court O.A

Supreme Court

Resident Magistrate’s Court

Court of Petty Sessions

Electoral Systems- Revision

The Election Process

An election is the process of voting by secret ballot.

1. Election Day is announced

2. Election Campaign in constituted

3. Nomination Day

4. Election Day

5. Declaration of Winner

Two elected systems

1. Past the Post

Divided into Constituencies

More than 1 candidate/party

2. Proportional Representation
 1 constituency

Voters vote for a party

Preparing for an Election

1. Identifying the major issues of the day

2. Manifesto

3. Selection of Candidates

4. Campaign Funds

5. Campaigning

6. Monitoring Performance

Factors that Influence Election Outcome

1. Campaign Strategies

When the prime minister calls an election they must be given between 3-6 weeks’ notice.

Formal campaigning takes place during this time but this informal campaigning will

likely have already begun as people anticipate the calling of the election. A campaign

strategy might involve; rallies, other public meetings, and news from the media. All are

intended to bring as much explosion for a candidate per party and to provide options to

meet with the electorate.

2. Campaign Advertising

Campaign advertising in the mediums presents a positive image of the candidate or a

party …. highlighting the success achieved and promises made.

3. Campaign Spending
 The amount of spending on a campaign can be an important part of determining who is

elected. Rules exist to limit the amount of spending a campaign and limit any advertising

disadvantage to candidates based on their campaign.

4. The media

Political candidates and parties seem to use the media to get their message across to the

electorate. At the same time, political editors and journalists analyze and comment on

political issues and personalities. The media may help the electorate perform an opinion

regarding the validity of the claims of the various parties.

5. Public Opinion polls

This is to carry out its order to determine the opinion of the public. Several questions are

asked to get opinions from the public about candidates and parties. The poll may be

commissioned by a political party or an independent orientation. Political parties can use

such issues which are most valuable to the electorate.

6. Voter attitude to the government

7. Voter turnout

Factors that influence voter participation.

1. Campaign Issues

These parties campaign on a range of policies that reflect a concern for the population.

For some people, the issues that directly affect them are most important and that party

receives their vote, while others want to see policies that benefit society.
2. Candidates

The candidates have to convince potential voters that they will or on their behalf send the

benefits will be seen both locally and nationally.

3. Voter attitude to the government

4. Voter Loyalty

5. Voter Apathy

This reflects people’s lack of faith in policies and government, it removes the desire to

engage in voting.

6. Education

Researchers suggest that education is the single most important socio of social economic

factor in whether or not a person is likely to vote.

7. Age

It is generally accepted that older people are more likely to vote than younger people.

8. Income

In most Caribbean countries those with lower income and most likely to vote

The relationship between citizens and the government

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles according to which a country is governed

and which includes laws and guidelines that ensure that the constitution is upheld.

 A constitution is a contract between the citizens and their government

 This is the supreme law of the Commonwealth Caribbean and is enforced by the

courts

 All other rules, laws, and regulations have to be consistent with the constituency.

 The judicial role protects the constitution and the rights of the citizens and limits

the power of the government.

A resource is anything that can be accessed, developed and used to satisfy wants and needs. Factors

that can be used to meet human needs and wants and contribute to economic activity:

 Natural Resources- Features of the physical environment which humans can use to satisfy

needs.

 Human Resources- Human skills, abilities, and qualities when considered as a reason n for

the development of a country.

Population

The population of a country is the total number of persons living in a country in a specific period.

What is a Population Census?

It may be defined as the process of gathering, compiling and publishing information on the people

and housing units of a country or a specific area. A population census may also be defined as a

population count. When the government of a country wants to know how many persons are living

in a country, it employs persons called census takers who go to every home the count the persons

living there. This activity takes several months as sometimes when the census taker visits people’s

homes residents are not at home and the census taker will have to return on several occasions.

The census taker will ask questions about the number of people living in the household, their ages

and sex, their level of education, whether or not they attend school, work or not, and other

information that tells you about the characteristics of the population. They also ask for specific

details of the type of structure of the housing units, materials used in construction, and availability

of kitchen and bathroom facilities, amongst other things.

All persons, who live in Jamaica and who live in the household will be counted. Visitors to the

island, tourists, and diplomats are NOT counted as a part of the census because Jamaica is not

their place of residence.

How often is a Population and Housing Census taken in Jamaica?

A Population and Housing Census is taken every 10 years in Jamaica. The last population census

in Jamaica was in 2011 and the population was 2.698 million people. In the census done before

that in 2001, the population was 2.608 million people.

Why does the government need to take a population census?

The information gathered in a population census helps the government to make plans and policies

for the country. The population of a country does not remain the same. It is always changing, as

people move away overseas, die, new persons are born, and persons also come to the island to live.

A rapidly growing population may require several additional services such as schools, water

supplies, hospitals, clinics, roads, factories, etc. So, when the government knows how many

persons are living in each area, it will know what services each area needs for the population there.

Which agency or department is responsible for conducting the Population and Housing

Census? The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has responsibility for conducting all

censuses in Jamaica.
How does the population of a country change?

Migration refers to the general movement of a population from one place to another.

The population of a country will increase by:

(1.) Immigration- people coming into a country to live permanently.

(2.) New births- new babies being born.

The population of a country may decrease by:

(1.) Emigration- people leaving of the country to live overseas permanently.

(2.) Deaths- people dying

When the number of births in a country is more than the number of deaths the result is called a

natural increase.

The birth rate of a population is the number of births per every 1000 persons in the population.

The death rate of a population is the number of deaths per every 1000 persons in the population.

A country may have a high death rate because of the following reasons:

1. An outbreak of diseases

2. A high rate of road traffic accidents

3. A high rate of murder

4. War

5. Poor Sanitary facilities

1. A high rate of unprotected sex

2. A high rate of teenage pregnancy

3. Lack of knowledge about birth control methods.

How can the Government ensure that family sizes are not too large?

The government of a country has to provide for its citizens. When the population of a country is

too large it creates problems for the government to provide social services such as schools,

hospitals, water supplies, employment and so forth for the people.