ppolitics

westminster principles

• separation of powers

• representative government

• responsible government

• bicameral parliament

separation of powers …

• three branches

  • legislative - parliament (make and change laws)

  • judicial - courts (interpret and apply laws)

  • executive - ministers and govt agencies (enforce law and carry out policy)

what is the system of checks and balances

• ensures that no group has too much power

• actions taken by one group can be questioned by other groups

separation of powers examples (how they interfere w one another)

• courts can overturn laws that are unconstitutional

• courts interpret and apply laws according to legal principles

• parliament can make new laws that override common law

• courts can stop executive from acting without legal authority

• executive appoints judges

• executive determines legislative priorities

• parliament can overturn executive decisions

• parliament demands explanation from ministers

• parliament can remove mongers through a vote of no confidence

representative government is…

• democratic system where electors choose reps to sit in parliament and make decisions on their behalf (delegated power)

• no specific electoral system and varies

representatives…

• decide who will form government

• debate issues

• make laws

• make representations to government on behalf of their constituents

• monitor the actions of the government (esp opposition)

in a representative government:

• parliament holds legislative power

• members of parliament shall be directly chosen by the people

bicameral parliament def

an upper house and a lower house.

lower house:

house of government, and the party or coalition that has a majority forms the executive government

upper house:

house of review, and it’s members are chosen according to a different system - scrutinised legislation

types of electorates

single member electorate - one MP elected

multi member electorate - more than one MP

voting systems

• first past the post (candidate w most votes than anyone else wins)

• runoff (the top two candidates stay on the ballot for the second round)

• instant runoff/preferential (last place candidate is removed and votes redistributed to their second preferences, process repeated till someone passes 50%

house of government

lower house - one party attempts to win majority seats to obtain a stable government.

house of review

proportionate seats elected from every state.