Abstract This paper analyzes the symbolic and formal powers of the president of the United States as well as his relationship to the legislature and judiciary. It then looks at the power of the Canadian Parliament and the role of the prime minister within this system. Finally is compares the two in terms of "real power", which for the purposes of this analysis, is defined as the ability to effectively exert their influence to the extent that they can alter or control the political direction of their nations.
From the Paper "America was founded on an intense distrust of government. The Revolution left them with a caustic distaste for a centralized system and thus is the basis for the underlying principle of their polity; which binds politicians and political bodies alike, not to a national government but to the Constitution. By contrast, Canada was founded on more peaceful circumstances. They did not share the Americans venomous hatred toward the Crown, rather their independence stemmed primarily from internal conflict. Ironically, the major external force that was a critical factor in their decision to confederate was the Americans themselves (since as it became apparent that the North was going to win the Civil War, the citizens of the provinces feared that the Americans would seize this opportunity to expand on their territory)! "
