Topic: Legitimacy of Government during Popular Uprising
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Caroline Sawatzki
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Canada position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The Dominion of Canada upholds its firm belief that a government’s most imperative duty is to act as a protective body with respect to the welfare of its populace. As recent uprisings have indicated, oppressive governments in the throes of revolt may attempt to stifle the freedoms of political expression by violent or unethical means. In the quest for power and political gain, some governments lose sight of their obligation to preserve the rights and ensure the safety of the population.
It is often difficult to assess the legitimacy of a government, as a government can be illegitimate and legal simultaneously. A government can maintain legality even when not possessing the full support of its governed bodies, and within its rights in using militaristic force to block protest or prevent uprising. Due to the uneven distribution of political control in many countries, corrupt, ineffective and unfavorable governments can be upheld solely because they are supported by a small group of powerful political elites. Action must be taken to ensure that the people of any area do not fall prey to such governing bodies.
As nations and populations undergo change, the leadership of such bodies must change in order to accommodate for the needs each community expresses. Failure of a government to do so can lead to revolt among the population, a pattern which is historically expressed and recently reinforced in the cases of Egypt, Syria, and Libya. Canada believes that the leadership of each country in transition should be closely evaluated and assessed for legitimacy. A government that dismisses the welfare of its population in favor of political agenda, imposes violent restrictions as a means of control, or is considered inauspicious by a measurable majority of the population should be considered illegitimate and replaced in due course by a competent and favorable government.
Canada believes strongly that individual nations should not take action that may compromise a partnership between nations, and refuses to become involved with the internal sovereignty of another nation. Canada agrees that every government should be given the chance to address the needs and issues raised by their communities through reform and suggests that governments respect the will of the people and act accordingly. However, Canada strongly urges the United Nations to question its support of a government when its course of action shifts from protecting its citizens to undermining its population, regardless of motivation. It is the role of the United Nations to intervene in these cases by calling for reform or changes in leadership. Canada believes that the safety of citizens is of utmost importance and will continue to assist in the prevention of attacks on people by providing military reinforcement as well as imposing economic or other sanctions on nations who threaten the safety of their populace.
