The document compares and contrasts representative democracy with authoritarian government. Representative democracy accepts principles of liberalism like rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, economic freedom, and private property. Authoritarian government accepts some liberal principles like rule of law, private property, and competition, but rejects individual rights and freedoms. Representative democracy is characterized by elected representatives and selected parties, while authoritarian government concentrates power in a single charismatic leader. Examples of each type of government are given, along with metaphors for democracy and authoritarianism. The document concludes that Canada's parliamentary democracy best suits Canadians by allowing for fair representation at all levels of government.

1. INDIVIDUAL LEARNING TWO- Representation Vs. Authority<br />Representative DemocracyAuthoritarian GovernmentParliamentary, Republican and Proportional RepresentationOligarchy, One-Party State and Military DictatorshipPrinciples of LiberalismPrinciples of LiberalismAcceptedRULE OF LAWINDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMSSELF-INTEREST AND COMPETITIONECONOMIC FREEDOMPRIVATE PROPERTYLABOR STANDARDS AND UNIONSHUMAN RIGHTSSUFFRAGEWELFARE STATEWELFARE CAPITALISMRejected*noneAcceptedRULE OF LAWPRIVATE PROPERTYCOMPETITIONWELFARE CAPITALISMECONOMIC FREEDOMRejectedINDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMSSELF INTERESTLABOR STANDARDS AND UNIONSWELFARE STATEHUMAN RIGHTSSUFFRAGEWho wields the most power?The elected representative(s) and their selected parties, or party members who belong to the house of representatives (senate, house of commons.)The charismatic leader of the nation or in some cases the small group of leaders or party, but most often there is a single leader. Basically, what they should happen, will.Current Examples of Each Form of Government-Parliamentary Democracy –Canada- Republican Democracy- The United States - Proportional Representation- Australia-Oligarchy-Russian Federation-Military Dictatorship-Burma(Myanmar)-One Party State- North Korea and China-Absolute Monarchy- Saudi ArabiaMetaphor for DemocracyDemocracy is a mirror, asking myself how others see my ideas, sharing a different perspective.Metaphor for AuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism is an Army General, he decides the rules and how the soldiers shall act, speak and think.<br />INDIVIDUAL LEARNING THREE- What form best suits Canadians?<br />The interests of Canadians are best met and understood in the form of a Democratic government. The form of government which best suits Canada is the Parliamentary Democracy, which we are already using. This systems allows for a fair representation, in all levels of government through the local MP’s, which represent and take the ideas of the small communities to the provincial and government level, where the Senate as well as the House of Commons and finally the Governor General who’s signature approves any new bills. <br />