Specific Objectives

Differentiate between forms

1
major of
government-Autocracy
and Democracy .
An government in which
autocracy is a one person possesses
unlimited power , however , a
democracy is a
goreonment the follows the
belief that
citizens should have an active role in government
.

of
.
2 Differentiate among the
types government systems in
the Commonwealth Caribbean -

Crown Colony British colony where has control over legislation

· -
crown

Constitutional
Monarchy-manarchy shares power with
government
·
a .

·
Republic-People directly a re or
indirectly the source of
authority
-

They elect representatives to make laws ·

Outline of
government.
.
3 the structure

Executive Cabinet , President and other ministers. enforce

They
· -

laws and policies

House of Representative , Parliament , Senate , Governor
Legislative
·
-

General
They make laws for the
country
.

·
Judicial-Law courts ,
magistrates judges They
,
.
e n s u re that no

law is created the articles of the constitution.

against

4
.
Evaluate the functions of .
government
Economic Craising revenue through taxation) , Provide social
5 ervices (welfare , (providing buildings)
health) , Infrastructural ,

Security (maintain laro) Diplomacy /maintaining and ,

developing further international relations) Regulatory /passing ,

laws to
regulate m a ss media

5 .
Evaluate the relationshin between citizens and the

government as stated in the constitution .

constitution out rules and principles (see other)
·
-
sets

Democracy
·

·
Universal Adult Sufferage
-

Right of
every citizens
 to vote in election
their country's once
they are

18 years of age
.

.
6 Describe the
systems used to elect a
government in
the Commonwealth Caribbean .

~
FPTP -the candidate that gets the highest votes in a particular
wins the them to
constituency setigiving the right represent
citizens in the General or National Assembly
.
a Proportional Rep-Entire country is treated Number of seats
·
as one

Guyana is to of received
proportional number votes .

7 Evaluate how political parties for elections .

prepare
Selecting candidates
·

Raising funds
·

Publishing manifestos
·

conducting Campaigns
·

Monitoring the electoral

process

conducting and opinion polls

·

surveys

.
8
Distinguish among facts , opinions and
propaganda -

·
Facts .
Statement that is verified ,

Opinion-statement which feeling attitude , values

·

a
expresses ,

judgement or belief
,
·

Propaganda -
a material which is typically used
by political
grongs influence
to
persons and serve their interests
Usually .

uses misleading information.

9 make informed decisions based on

arguements presented .
10 ·

Show tolerance for other

people's opinions .

11 Outline the factors that influence the outcomes of decisions .

Charismatic leadership
History & Performance
, , Campaign issues ,

change , violence , rigging , funds ,

no-vote
campaign

Analyse statistical data in the form of tables , and

12
graghs
charts on elections .

13 Draw conclusions about elections and electoral

processes based on data presented.

of good
Identify characteristics
14 the
governance
· .

Characteristics
-

Having efficiency and accountability within public sector .

include -

independence of the judiciary ,

responsiveness to the
-

needs of citizens information , efficient

, access to civil service and
tolerance of freedom of expression .
15
·
Identify the characteristics of good citizenshin .

A
good citizen should :

obey and act in the of the constitution and laws

spirit state
·

exercises
rights granted the them
·

states' promote developt

·

to safeguard the wealth and resources and

capacity
·

works
according to
·

respect rights and freedom of others

·

contributes in proportion to his means to revenue

and
fully develop
·

recognizes that he can his capabilities

a drance his true interest
-

Other :

* Governments bodies that have

are
agencies or

direct the affairs of

the
authority to
control
or

a
country
:

* There are 3
types of Crown colonies :

(1) CC with Representative Councils -

had I legislative Chambers
made up of Crown-agpointed and
locally elected members

12]CC with Nominated Councils

primarily made up Crown
appointed
-

members with some representation from the local

population .
() I ruled by a Governor-had the least amount of

autonomy in decision making and we re

guided
by the Crown-agpointed governor
Constitutional
*
Monarchy :

Here the
King and Queens share power with a

elected . However , the

constitutionally government monarchy
is
typically a
gurely ceremonial leader whilst the

constitution makes provisions for the rest of power

the

to given to the
legislature and judiciary
:
* Republic :

Here the head of state is not a

hereditary monarch .

*Caribbean Countries which are still crown colonies

 Anguilla ,
British Virgin Islands , Cayman Islands , Montserrat
and the Turks and Caicos Islands·

* The Executive Branch :

Executive

branch

Representatives Groups

President Ministers Cabinet Agencies Civil

* Process to create a new law :

'bill'
Ist-Drafting and introduction a is presented in Parliament -

2nd. Committee review and revision-the bill is published in the

Gazette so that citizens can

give feedback as well -

3rd Debate and Once it achieves the of

Voting majority
-
-

votes it is successful and sent to the President for assent

4th Enactment The President will either bill into
sign the
-
-

I aw or veto it .

* Whilst the
President is not a member of the National
Assembly he does have to assent or
agree to all bills passed
,
by the
Assembly before it becomes a law ,

* Note that
Guyana has a Unicameral
regislature meaning that
is
there only one
body that makes the laws of the country
.
# Other Functions of the
legislative :

·
Debates the national budget
·
Discusses pressing national issues/crime ,
unemployment , natural disasteris
of improper
Investigates allegations conduct by MOD
·

Debates motion of confidence

any in the
ruling party
·
no

which is raised by the opposition.

* Role of the
Opposition :

Identifies shortcomings of
any bill/policy put forward parliament
·

in

Participates in the review of bills

during the "committee Stage"
·
.

calls for debates in Parliament contravesal issues which

on
may
 arise and the
affect population .

Ensures accountability and

transparency the
by ruling party
·

*
Key Legal Officials in
Guyana
:

Chancellor- Youette Cummings -

Edwards (ag)
Chief of Justice -

Justine Roxanne George -

Witshire (ag) The
most senior judge of the
supreme .
cour t

General - Nandlall-represents
Attorney Mr Mohabir A
Guyana
:

in advice the when

legal matters and gives
to
government
requested
Solicitor General -
Mr
Nigel Hawke-provides legal advice to

the executive and represents the government , primarily in

court
constitutional proceedings:
Director of Public Prosecutions -

Mrs .

Shalimap Ali-Hack -

is

for
responsible for
deciding whether or not to
charge people
alleged crimes and for prosecuting the cas e .

* Courts within the Caribbean :

() magistrates' Court -
Magistrates will
preside ove r trials for

offences breaches of traffic laws etc.

getty ,
minor ,

(2) High Court will

preside over criminal cas e s ,
matrimonial cases ,

civil cases ,
settlement of the Deed of title disputes .

(3) Court of
Appeal -

hears appeals against conviction in lower

courts ,
and determines whether or not the decision made
should be overturned .

(4) Privy Council-based in London and some countries , like TCT still

use this as their final cour t of appeal .

(S) Caribbean court of Justice Located in Port of

-

Spain and was

inaugorated 2005 to
Roles resolve
any disputes which
in .

was

arose from Caribbean

the Single Market initiative ;
and
Economy
however it
has
since become the final court of aggeal for
countries
many commonwealth including Gnyana -

* Protective Services :

Role of the Police :

1
Regulate traffic
 .
2 Assist the
public in times of distress

the of citizents
.
3
Patrol populated areas to ensure welfare

.
Investigate conflicts when possible
4
and resolve

.
5 Provide evidence in court against the charged
person
.

Role of the Prison Service

1 Ensure that detainees a re

provided with basic amenities .

.
2
Transport prisoners to and from courts

3 Conduct rehabilitation programs

Conduct mandated law
4 executions where
by
.

.
5 Release prisoners after completing their sentences

* Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual

138 Protection of
Right to life

139- Protection of
Right personal
to
liberty
forced labour
140 - Protection from
slavery and

141 ·

Protection from inhuman treatment

142 -

Protection from deprivation of

property
143 -

Protection aglinst arbitrat search or

entry
↓ 44 -
Provisions to secure protection of the law

145 -
Protection of freedom of conscience

146 -
Protection of freedom of speech
147-Protection of freedom of demonstration
assembly , association and

148 -
Protection of freedom of movement

149-Protect, from discrimination

149A-Right to work

1 4 9B ·

Right to
pension and gratuity
14 a C-Right to participate in decision making processes of the state .

149D -

Equality of persons before the law

19E of staths
Equality
-

1x9F for
-

Equality women

and maintain
1496 -

Indigenous people's right to practice traditions

149H- education
Right to free

1491-Right to establish private schools

1495-Right to enjoy a clear and unpollated environment

 * Advantages of FPTP

votes be and
easily counted
quickly
·

can

Suitable for countries with a

large population
~
voters can choose a
politician that they
frust .

* FPTP
Disadvantages of

Excludes smaller parties from 'fair representation

The of smaller parties lead to vote

·

presence can
splitting

PR
*
Advantages of

Allows for a m o re
representative government .

Voter participation is
usually high
there safe
·

as a re no seats

a warded .

*
Disadvantages
of PR

Party from
·

leaders choose a list of candidates so voters have

in
specifically
who will in the
no say be representing them
National Assembly ,
·
This can lead to continued dissatisfaction and
poor

performance which
may
leave people feeling disenchanted by
the electoral process .

* Voting variations

Coalition
jointly by
·

Government formed
a
government m o re
-

than one political -

party
·

Hung Parliament- When a

general election results is no

single party winning a

majority of seats , the situation is

known as a
hung parliament
-