year 8 civics

Liberalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property.

Democracy

Democracy is a form of government wherein supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system.

What is the political spectrum?

The political spectrum is a measure of political ideology that classifies different political views in relation to one another.

X-Axis on the Political Spectrum

The x-axis represents where someone's economic beliefs lie.

Left on Political Spectrum

Believe in heavy government regulation and a 100% government driven economy.

Right on Political Spectrum

Believe in a free market with no government regulation.

Y-Axis on Political Spectrum

Social scale.

Top of the Y-axis

Authoritarian. Heavy government involvement in people's lives and believe that authority must be obeyed. Don't value personal freedoms and expression as much.

Bottom of Y-Axis

Libertarian. They believe in the emphasis of personal and political freedoms in politics, upholding their core value of liberty.

Separation of Powers

The separation of powers is the principle that the power to make and amend laws should be shared between groups- the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary- to avoid one of these groups holding all the power.

What are the arms of government in Australia?

The Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary.

The Parliament Composition and Role

Composed of the King (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Role is to make and change laws.

The Executive Composition and Role

Composed of the King (represented by the Governor-General), the Prime Minster, and the ministers. Role is to put laws into action.

The Judiciary Composition and Role

Composed of the High Court and all other Federal courts. Their role is to make judgements about the law.

Purpose of the Separation of Powers

Prevents the misuse of power by one governing body.

How does the separation of powers contribute to liberalism?

Each branch's independence helps keep others from exceeding their power, ensuring the rule of law and protecting individual rights, two core values in liberalism.

When one authority holds all the powers, they have the capacity to restrict individual freedoms with no other group stopping them from doing so

Individual rights and freedoms are the most emphasised ideas in liberalism and by separating powers, we ensure that these two things cannot be restricted by the government and remain protected

What is a social contract?

A social contract is an agreement among members of a society to cooperate and follow government laws put in place for the benefit of all.

Implicit Contract

An implicit contract is an agreement that you may be born into and not explicitly agreed to have follow, but you must follow anyway

Explicit Contract

Explicit contracts are outlined either in verbal or written format, and agreed to by all parties involved.

Rights of Australians in the Social Contract

- Right of free speech

· Right of religion

· Right of association

· Right of media

· Right of assembly

· Right of expression

· Right to freedom

· Right to equality

· Right to education and healthcare

· Right to democratic participation

Obligations of Australians under a Social Contract

- Payment of taxes

· Obedience to law

· Respect for others

· Vote in federal and state or territory elections and in a referendum

· Defend Australia should the need arise

· Serve on jury duty if called to do so

Explain the process of Federation

Formed in 1901 after agreement between 6 British colonies, became 6 states

Terms of agreement in constitution

Political system created was constitutional monarchy

Identify the key reasons for Australia choosing to federate

Free trade, defence, immigration, national pride

Free trade

Trade was restricted as travelling between the different colonies was difficult due to the border restrictions and restricted movement between colonies.

Defence

Before federation, the colonies were vulnerable and depended on Britain to patrol their borders. The colonies didn't have enough soldiers to defend themselves and by coming together, they could ensure a stronger and better funded defence system.

Immigration

The colonies were concerned that lots of immigrants would enter Australia, leading to lower wages and a lower standard of living.

National Pride

They mostly spoke the same language, culture, and heritage, and they started to identify as Australian, instead of British. By 1901, 75% of the population had been born in Australia and considered themselves to be Australian.

Referendums

A national vote by the government when they wish to make a change to the Australian constitution.

Identify the referendum process

1. Bill is introduced to Parliament.

2. Absolute majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

3. Members of parliament prepare a 'yes' and 'no' case which are sent out and explained to voters in the form of pamphlets

4. A referendum is held.

5. A double majority must be reached in order for this change to occur. This means that the majority of the states must vote yes, along with the majority of people must have voted yes.

6. Royal assent.

What are the three steps needed for a referendum to pass?

1. Bill passed through both houses with an absolute majority

2. Achieves double majority by the people

3. Granted Royal Assent

What is the role of a Constitution?

A constitution outlines the rules of how the specified nation works and describes the roles of their government and how they should run the country as well as how the government should run as a whole.

Describe the Federal model adopted by Australia upon Federation

Powers split between 3 separate levels with the federal government managing the most important/overarching ones such as defence, immigration and taxes

Government follows a Constitution outlining their powers

Federal Governments

Has specific powers over issues that involve all of Australia. Such as marriage, divorce, money, social welfare benefits, defence, trade, and commerce.

State Governments

´State parliaments deal with issues restricted to their state. Some examples of state powers are the following:

´childcare and education

´public transport

´water and electricity

hospitals

Local Governments

´Local governments were created by State parliaments to reduce their workload. Some examples of issues dealt with by local governments are as follows:

´local roads

´rubbish disposal

´recreational areas like parks

Federalism

Federalism is the idea that Government (and Government's powers) should be divided between a central government and smaller state governments.

Residual Powers

Matters not mentioned in the Constitution are left to the States.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that can be exercised by both the federal and state governments. The Constitution states that if there is a conflict between Federal and State laws, Federal law overrides it.

Composition of Federal Parliament

Parliament is made up of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives, also referred to as the upper and lower houses.

Parliament

Parliament is a representative and a law-making body.

The Senate

Made up of 76 members, 12 from each state and 2 from each territory. Considered the 'States'' House and is expected to represent the views of the states. The Senate makes and amends laws.

The House of Representatives

Made up of 151 members, one for each electorate in Australia. Considered the 'People's House' and should represent the views of the people. Also amend and make laws.

Government is formed from this house-the party with the majority of the seats (at least 76) becomes the Government and elects a Prime Minister.

General Will

The concept of the will of the people as a whole that aims at the common good. This is the source of law.

Electoral Systems

The two main electoral systems in Australia are Majoritarian and Proportional.

Majoritarian System

A majoritarian electoral system is based on single member electorates that vote for one parliamentary representative to represent a specific electorate

They only have one member per electorate which is decided by who gains the majority of the votes.

HoR uses majoritarian

Proportional System

An electoral system used in the Senate wherein the number of members from each party is based of the proportion of seats they have gained in Parliament.

Elections Importance in Liberal Democracy

Elections are important in Australia's liberal democracy as they ensure that people get a say in who represents them and what policies are implemented as a result.

Outline the impact electoral systems have on the differing composition of the House of Representatives and The Senate.

One person from each electorate takes one seat in HoR.The electorates don't matter in the senate, each state gets the same amount of people, and each territory has the same.