Politics U1 Exam

Authority

The accepted right to use power. It comes from tradition, personal appeal or legal rules.

Campaigns

Organised efforts to influence views or push for change.

Capacity

Different types of power resources that help political actors reach goals.

Cultural Capacity

The ability to shape shared beliefs, values or norms.

Diplomatic Capacity

The ability to negotiate and form agreements with other states.

Economic Resources

Assets like money, labour, natural resources and ideas.

Military Capacity

The use of armed forces and defence tools.

Social Capacity

The ability of groups to organise and act together.

Technological Capacity

The ability to use scientific tools and innovation.

Coercion

Using threats or force to influence behaviour.

Corporation

A large business with economic influence.

Democratic Processes

Ways people take part in decision-making through actions like voting, scrutiny of government and open public debate.

Economic Performance

How strong or weak an economy is.

Federalism

A system where national and state governments share power.

Government

The institutions that make, enforce and interpret laws in Australia.

Federal Government

Handles national issues such as defence, immigration and foreign affairs.

State Government

Manages areas like health, education and transport.

Local Government

Looks after community services such as rubbish collection, local roads and parks.

Scrutiny

Closely examining the actions and decisions of leaders to ensure they follow the rules, act responsibly and serve the public.

Separation of Powers

Power divided between parliament, executive and courts.

Legislative

Parliament makes laws.

Executive

The Prime Minister and ministers enforce laws.

Judiciary

Courts interpret laws.

Social Movement

A group pushing for social or political change.

Sovereignty

Full control a state has over its territory.

State

A political body with population, territory and government.

Government Leader

A person who directs policy and represents the state.

Ideology

A set of beliefs about how society should run.

Institution of Global Governance

Bodies like the UN or ICC that guide cooperation.

Leadership Qualities

Skills used to influence others.

Legitimacy

The belief that a political actor has the right to use power because their authority is accepted by the public.

Media

Organisations that inform the public and shape views.

Nongovernmental Organisation

A not-for-profit group that works for social or political goals.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

Parliament has final authority over laws.

Political Actor

Any person or group with influence in political decisions, such as governments, political parties, media outlets, corporations, NGOs, individuals and social movements.

Political Change

A shift in leadership or policy that alters how a government acts or how decisions are made.

Political Party

A group seeking power through elections (Labor, Liberal, Greens, Nationals).

Political Significance

The importance of an event or issue based on how much it affects policy, leadership or public expectations.

Political Stability

A steady political environment where institutions, laws and leadership remain consistent over time.

Popular Sovereignty

Power comes from the people through elections.

Protests

Public actions demanding change.

Responsible Government

The executive must answer to parliament.

Bushfire

An unplanned vegetation fire encompassing grass fires, forest fires and scrub fires. Can be caused by natural events, weather conditions, accident or arson.

Dry Lightning

Lightning that strikes without sufficient accompanying rain to dampen potential fire fuels. Can ignite fires with no moisture to suppress them — as seen 21 Nov 2019, when 150+ fires were started in Victoria.

Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud

A storm cloud generated by the intense heat of a fire. Capable of producing its own thunderstorms and lightning, further spreading fires. A rare phenomenon showing how fires can influence local weather.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases (e.g. CO₂ from fossil fuels) trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. Accelerated by human activity since the 1800s.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While partly natural, human activities (especially burning fossil fuels) have significantly accelerated these shifts since the 1800s.

Mega-fire

A fire burning more than one million hectares. Increasing in frequency and intensity as a consequence of climate change and extended fire seasons.

Fuel Load

The accumulation of dead and dry vegetation across forests and grasslands that acts as combustible material for fires. Extended drought greatly increases fuel loads.

Heatwave

A prolonged period of above-average temperatures. Exacerbated by climate change, heatwaves dry out the landscape, making it more prone to ignition and rapid fire spread.

Political Stability

A state of consistent governance where existing policies and power structures are maintained. Can be beneficial (preventing chaos) or detrimental (blocking necessary reform) depending on context.

Political Change

A shift in policy, power, or governance structure. Can be catalysed by crisis events. May lead to new stability or further instability. Unintended consequences are common.

Differing Interests

Political actors hold different values, priorities and goals shaped by ideology, electoral ambition, constitutional role and voter base. These differences drive conflicting policy responses to the same event.

Royal Commission

A formal public inquiry established by government to investigate a matter of public concern. The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (2020) produced 80 recommendations on bushfire preparedness.

Dry Season & Drought

Years of drought by 2019 — critical in eastern Australia.

Record Temperatures

2019: Lowest annual rainfall since records began in 1900.

Natural Weather Patterns

Dry lightning: 21 Nov 2019 — 150+ fires in Victoria ignited without rain.

Fossil Fuels & Greenhouse Effect

Fossil fuels release CO₂ → trap heat → global warming.

Biodiversity & Environment

~3 billion animals killed or displaced.

Human & Humanitarian

33 lives lost; 3,000+ homes destroyed.

Cultural & Economic Losses

Significant Indigenous cultural sites and artefacts destroyed.

Global Environmental Impact

~900 million tonnes of CO₂ released — intensified global climate change.

Federal Government (Morrison)

Interests include restoring public trust, demonstrating national leadership, regaining political capital, and setting precedent for future disaster management.

Victorian Government

Interests include demonstrating state autonomy, strengthening community relations, reinforcing state agency roles, and enhancing government reputation.

NSW Government (Berejiklian)

Interests include demonstrating efficiency, affirming political legitimacy, softening criticism, and enhancing disaster response standards.

National Bushfire Recovery Agency

Established in January 2020 with a $2.2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund and the first-ever compulsory deployment of 3,000+ ADF reservists.

Emergency Recovery Victoria

Established to assist 151 homeowners and provided $24.3 million in small business grants to 2,429 applicants.

Rural Fire Service (Rural Fires Act 1997)

Responsible for prevention, suppression, and hazard reduction of fires.

Independent inquiry into 2019-20 season

Resulted in 76 recommendations, all accepted, to improve disaster management.

Liberal-National Coalition (Morrison)

Divided on climate policies; moderate Liberals wanted stronger measures while Nationals prioritized coal mines.

Labor Party (Albanese)

Committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and criticized Morrison for exploiting national tragedy for political gain.

Pat Conroy's accusation

Accused Morrison of exploiting national tragedy for political gain, calling it 'a new low.'

Senator Murray Watt's criticism

Criticized Morrison on social media for disrespecting victims of the bushfires.

2022 election campaign

Labor campaigned on disaster readiness and promised up to $200 million per year for a Disaster Ready Fund.

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

Tabled in October 2020 with key findings including the need for a national approach and acknowledgment of climate change impacts.

Key Findings of the Royal Commission

Included 80 recommendations emphasizing cooperation across governments and the federal government's role in emergencies.

Climate change acknowledgment

Report stated that climate change has resulted in more frequent and severe weather events in Australia.

2003 agreement

Federal Government to fund 50% of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, which fell to 23% by 2017.

Morrison's holiday in Hawaii

Chose to take a family holiday during escalating fires, perceived as symbolizing absence.

Crisis mismanagement

Became a catalyst for policy reform and electoral change, leading to Labor's 2022 campaign focus.

Unintended consequences of stability

Attempts to maintain stability can backfire, shifting political power and eroding public trust.

Causes & Consequences

Causes connect directly to issues and can be contested; consequences may be planned or unexpected.

What is a state?

A political organisation with a defined territory, permanent population, functioning government, the capacity to enter international relations, and recognition from other states.

What is sovereignty?

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. Ensures all states are legally equal regardless of size or power.

Name the 5 characteristics of a state.

1. Permanent population 2. Defined territory 3. Functioning government 4. Ability to engage in international relations 5. International recognition

What is the difference between foreign and domestic policy?

Foreign policy = decisions/actions outside the state's borders (diplomacy, trade, aid, military). Domestic policy = internal decisions for own population (taxation, health, justice).

What is coercive capacity?

The state's ability to enforce laws and maintain order, including by using force. Legitimised by the social contract — providing security, freedom, welfare, order and justice.

What is the social contract?

An unspoken agreement: citizens obey laws and the state protects and serves the people. The state's coercive power is legitimised by meeting citizens' needs.

How do states relate to regional groupings?

Through cooperation (mutual benefit), integration (binding common rules via supranational institutions), or tension (when groupings encroach on state autonomy, e.g. EU vs Hungary).

What does Westphalian sovereignty mean?

The traditional principle that states are the central global actors and must mutually respect each other's borders. States make decisions based on national interest: security, prosperity and regional standing.

What are the three types of state relationships with other states?

Cooperation (shared values/interests), Competition (strategic rivalries), Conflict (hostility and violence). States can act unilaterally, bilaterally or multilaterally.

What are the three ways power can be exercised?

1. Coercion ('sticks') — threats or sanctions. 2. Inducement ('carrots') — payments and incentives. 3. Attraction — shaping preferences through shared values (soft power).

What is political power?

Power derived from governance systems, democratic institutions, rule of law and political norms. e.g. The Nordic model of social welfare and personal autonomy.

What is economic power?

Power through GDP, trade relationships, financial systems and economic sanctions. e.g. China represents 7.74% of the world economy.

What is military power?

The capacity to use armed force, deter threats and project influence through defence spending and peacekeeping. e.g. UN peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic.

What is diplomatic power?

Influence exercised through negotiations, alliances, treaties and international relationships. e.g. The 2023 Saudi Arabia-Iran peace deal.

What is technological power?

Power derived from innovation, cyber capabilities and control of digital infrastructure. e.g. China's internet censorship laws limiting information spread.

What is cultural power (soft power)?

The ability to attract and influence others through shared cultural values, language and media — shaping others' preferences without coercion.

What is the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index?

An annual ranking of state power in the Indo-Pacific using 4 resource measures and 4 influence measures — a key tool for comparing how states exercise different forms of power.

What is nationalism?

Identifying with one's own state and supporting its interests, particularly to the exclusion or detriment of other states. The nation is the most important political identity. e.g. Trump's 'America First', Orban's immigration policies.