Yr 10 Semester 1 HASS Exam: Civics & Citizenship

Terms and definitions for civics & citizenship section of year 10 semester 1 HASS exams

separation of powers

a political principle that divides government responsibilities into 3 distinct branches: the legislature, executive & judiciary

federalism

a system of government where power is divided between a central national government and individual, regional or state government

liberal democracy

a system of government that combines democratic majority rule (elections) with classical liberal principles which prioritise individual freedoms and limit state power

responsible government

a political principle in which a government must maintain a majority of support in the House of Representatives in order to retain executive power.

the government is therefore responsible or accountable to the parliament and through it, to the people of Australia.

representative government

a system where citizens elect officials to make laws, formulate policies and govern on their behalf

judiciary

the branch of government responsible for determining the validity of laws as well as making decisions when individuals break the law

executive

the branch of government responsible for governing and enforcing the laws. in Australia this includes the King, the Governor General, Prime Minister and government

legislature

the branch of government responsible for developing and amending statute laws