Year 11 P&L Revision

Flashcards for Year 11 P&L Revision Session

What is Democracy?

A form of government in which people govern themselves, with majority rule as a fundamental feature.

What is Liberal Democracy?

A form of government where sovereignty is vested in its citizens, balancing individual rights with the will of the majority.

What is the Rule of Law?

A philosophy that society should be governed by laws, not arbitrary power, upheld by an independent judiciary.

What is Parliament?

The legislature in Westminster style political systems.

What is the Government?

The executive branch within a political and legal system, formed by the party with the majority in the House of Representatives.

What is Separation of Powers?

The division of governmental power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What comprises the Legislative branch in Australia?

The House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor General.

What comprises the Executive branch in Australia?

The Prime Minister and Ministers (Cabinet).

What comprises the Judiciary branch in Australia?

The Courts.

What is Division of Powers?

In a federation, powers are divided among federal and state levels, including exclusive, concurrent, and residual powers.

What is Federalism?

A system where sovereignty is geographically divided between central and regional governments.

What is Sovereignty?

The unlimited authority of a nation-state to govern itself.

What is Judicial Independence?

The judiciary's freedom from interference from other institutions or people.

What is Representative Government/Democracy?

A government where elected members of parliament represent the people.

What is Responsible Government?

The Westminster convention where the Executive is drawn from and responsible to the parliament.

What is Constitutionalism?

A culture where there is respect for rules that limit power; governments are limited to powers in a Constitution.

What is the Washminster Mutation?

A blend of the Westminster system and American federalism.

What are the components of the Washminster system?

Written federal constitution, constitutional monarchy, powerful upper house, strong bicameralism, and responsible parliamentary government.