The Patriot Act Essay Example

It is the community's role to assure the government meets the needs of its citizens for the common good of every individual. If these expectations are not met the government would not stay in power long. Authority is meant to guide the community and keep the community regulated, in fact they are the ones held accountable for every individual's well-being. If the needs and expectations of the community are not met by the authority the source states they will then be removed, someone who will make the right decisions for their people will be in power. A theory that leads to an example of this would be most demonstrated by the Patriot Act. The government abused their power by allowing government officials to target citizens not under criminal investigation, reducing the ability of the public to challenge a government search in court. Some may also agree that the Patriot act had removed people's freedom of speech as well. A government that is accountable to the people is referred to as a responsible government. Instead of a monarch or their representatives, it takes the form of a Cabinet that is supported by an elected legislature. Therefore the people get a voice. The source should be fully embraced because Democracy in a society should be nurtured for the collective good; it promotes equality and justice among citizens, supports the well being of the people, keeps democracy intact.

The War measures act was repealed, because it authorised unjust punishment in both World Wars and the Crisis, the War Measures Act is unjust and unnecessary. It aided conscription during World Wars One and Two, which ended up failing and divided Canada. During times of war, the Act provided the government broad powers to censor and prohibit communications, arrest, and deport persons without charges or trials, control transportation, trade, and industry, and take private property. These abused human rights, did not do anything to benefit the common good of a community. Demonstrating the effect the government would have on people when abusing authorities power. This event had a huge impact on each individual's freedom. The war measures act was later dismissed when the parliament established the Emergencies Act of 1988. This new Act included the Cabinet being required to seek Parliament's permission and subjecting any laws approved to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The act combined the maintenance of public order with the protection of civil freedoms, and balanced the federal government's powers with the jurisdiction and competencies of the provinces. This way peoples human rights can be respected for the will of every individual.

The Anti-Terrorism Act, revolves around abuse, including torture. The law, in particular, provides a vague definition of terrorism that runs the risk of being used and abused unfairly. The bill gave the government and institutions within the Canadian security services new authority to respond to terrorism threats. Provisions in the Act allowed for private trials, well before arrest, and broad security and surveillance authorities. After review, the anti-terrorist Act was upheld, and the Supreme Court of Canada concluded that it does not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This protected the community from dangerous threats, all while protecting people's rights and freedoms as citizens. This would lead to a strong example of a responsible government as the authority is looking after the well being of each individual.

Democracy is extremely important to a society as it keeps everything intact. People have a say, judgments based on majority rule must also respect minorities who disagree with the decision, because everyone has rights, not only those who agree with the majority. If democracy is embraced in a society it allows a generous amount of freedom. Responds to public opinion, inspires people to be more innovative, and provides for a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Democracy raises the standard of decision making. Citizens' dignity is enhanced by democracy. Democracy is superior to other forms of government in that it allows us to correct our own errors. Democracy results in accountable government because it holds regular, free, and fair elections. Promoting accountable government for the benefit of the community.

Furthermore, the source should be fully embraced because Democracy in a society should be nurtured for the collective good; it promotes equality and justice among citizens, supports the well being of the people, keeps democracy intact.  If the needs and expectations of the community are not met by the authority the source states they will then be removed, someone who will make the right decisions for their people will be in power. A theory that leads to an example of this would be most demonstrated by the Patriot Act. A government that is accountable to the people is referred to as a responsible government, reassuring everyone's needs, promoting justice. Therefore the people get a voice. Democracy is superior to other forms of government, results in accountable government because it upholds equality.