operating systems + federalism

Democracy

A system of government based on the will of the majority ( popular sovereignty). Main principle is majority rule.

Democracy- what's the main belief

Comes from the belief that those being affected by decisions should be involved in the making process.

Direct Democracy

System of government in which citizens govern themselves through personal participation in law making.

• The people vote for the laws themselves.

Direct Democracy setbacks

inefficient, easily influenced, can result in apathy/ lack of emotion

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which the people elect members who represent them in parliament, acting as their representatives. The people still hold sovereignty.

Liberal Democracy

System of government based on the will of the majority (popular sovereignty) and the respect and protection of rights.

• emphasises individual autonomy + personal freedom.

• It not only is majority rule, there are policies/ laws in place to protect minorities as well.

Liberal Democracy characteristics

Separation of powers, free, fair open elections, rule of law, natural justice, freedom and rights.

Majority Rule

Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.

Equality of Political Rights

Political rights that are given to all people, giving them the legal right to engage in political discourse

• universal suffrage act

Political Participation

when people actively take part in their own gov processes by putting to use their politcal rights and freedoms.

Limitations to political participation in Aus. ?

Prisoners serving over 3 years cannot participate. petitions are often ignored, we cant change eveyrhting, only the smaller things (e.g: our PM)

Political Freedoms

freedoms that enable you to talk about, think about and form your political opinion- they include freedom of speech, right to practice to religion, etc.

• a person's ability to utilise their political rights

Rule Of Law, and its features

Overarching principle that no one is above or under the law, all are equal before it.

1) The law applies to the actions of all citizens

2) The law must be clear and understandable

3) Governments + officials must be held accountable effectively.

4) citizens are all equal before the law.

Natural Justice

the idea that we are all treated fairly before the law.

Washminster system

The melding of the Westminster system of responsible government & the federal model adopted by the U.S

• first done by canada, then adopted by australia.

Common law

a system of law based on precedent and customs

Federation

A formal association containing many individual groups or countries. require written constitutions.

Federalism

system of government in which the powers + responsibilities of government are divided between a national gov + 2 or more state/ regional governments.

Division of powers

a formal arrangement allocating the responsibilities of government in a federation.

Types of federations

Dual/ Co-ordinate

Confederate

Co-operative

Coercive

Dual/ Co-ordinate

federal arrangement where central levels of gov. act independently in their respective spheres.

Co-operative

voluntary arrangements between the commonwealth government + state governments to take common administrative & legislative action

Coercive

an imbalance of power in a federal system, where the central system effectively dominates the regional level of government.