Untitled Flashcard Set

Q1. What is democracy?

A: A system of government where citizens have a say in how their country is governed, mainly through elections.

Q2. What are the four main democratic principles?

A: Separation of powers, popular participation, political representation and the rule of law.

Q3. What is separation of powers?

A: Dividing government power between the legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent one group becoming too powerful.

Q4. What is the legislature?

A: The branch of government responsible for debating, creating and passing laws. In Australia, this is Parliament.

Q5. What is the executive?

A: The branch responsible for administering laws and running the country, including the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Q6. What is the judiciary?

A: The courts and judges responsible for interpreting laws and resolving legal disputes independently.

Q7. Why is separation of powers important?

A: It prevents the abuse of power by allowing different branches of government to check one another.

Q8. What is the rule of law?

A: Everyone must follow the law, including politicians and government officials. Nobody is above the law.

Q9. Why is the rule of law important?

A: It protects individual rights, promotes fairness and prevents governments from abusing their power.

Q10. What is popular participation?

A: Citizens taking part in democracy through voting, protesting, petitions and political discussions.

Q11. Why is popular participation important?

A: It gives people a voice in decisions that affect their lives and holds politicians accountable.

Q12. What is political representation?

A: Elected politicians acting on behalf of citizens and representing their interests in government.

Q13. What is responsible government?

A: The executive must remain accountable to Parliament and retain the confidence of the lower house.

Q14. What are checks and balances?

A: Methods that allow government institutions to limit and review one another's powers.

Australia vs the United States

Q15. How does Australia elect its Prime Minister?

A: Australians elect members of Parliament. The leader who can command the confidence of the House of Representatives becomes Prime Minister.

Q16. How does the United States elect its President?

A: Through presidential elections using the Electoral College, rather than Parliament choosing the leader.

Q17. What is preferential voting?

A: Voters rank candidates in order of preference. Preferences are distributed until a candidate gains a majority.

Q18. What is proportional representation?

A: A voting system that allocates seats broadly according to the proportion of votes received. It is used in Australia's Senate.

Q19. What is first-past-the-post voting?

A: The candidate with the most votes wins, even without more than 50% of votes. It is widely used in US congressional elections.

Q20. What is one major difference between Australia's and America's political systems?

A: Australia has compulsory voting and a parliamentary executive, while America has voluntary voting and a separately elected President.

Q21. Which country has a stricter separation of powers?

A: The United States, because its President and Cabinet are separate from Congress. In Australia, ministers are also members of Parliament.

Threats and safeguards to democracy

Q22. What is misinformation?

A: False or inaccurate information spread without necessarily intending to deceive.

Q23. What is disinformation?

A: False information deliberately spread to mislead or manipulate people.

Q24. How can misinformation threaten democracy?

A: It can influence voting decisions, confuse citizens and reduce trust in elections and government.

Q25. What is populism?

A: A political approach that claims to represent ordinary people against powerful elites.

Q26. How can populism threaten democracy?

A: Some populist leaders undermine democratic institutions, attack opponents and encourage division.

Q27. What is political corruption?

A: The misuse of political power for personal or private benefit.

Q28. What are civil liberties?

A: Basic freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, peaceful assembly and association.

Q29. What is the right to dissent?

A: The right to disagree with government decisions and express opposition within the law.

Q30. Why is a free media important?

A: It investigates government actions, exposes corruption and informs voters so they can make decisions.

Q31. Name three safeguards protecting Australian democracy.

A: The rule of law, independent courts and free and fair elections.

The High Court and Australian law

Q32. What is the Constitution?

A: Australia's highest legal document, establishing federal government institutions and defining their powers.

Q33. What is the High Court of Australia?

A: Australia's highest court, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and hearing important appeals.

Q34. How does the High Court protect democracy?

A: It can declare unconstitutional laws invalid, ensuring Parliament acts within its constitutional powers.

Q35. What is a legal precedent?

A: A legal principle established in a court decision that guides later decisions in similar cases.

Q36. What is court hierarchy?

A: The ranking of courts according to their authority and the types of cases they can hear.

Q37. What was the Mabo case?

A: A 1992 High Court decision recognising native title and rejecting terra nullius as a basis for denying traditional Indigenous land rights.

Q38. What does terra nullius mean?

A: Land belonging to no one, a concept historically used to deny Indigenous Australians' traditional land rights.

Q39. What is native title?

A: Recognition under Australian law of certain traditional rights and interests Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold in land and waters.

Q40. What was the impact of Mabo?

A: It recognised native title and led to the Native Title Act 1993, establishing a framework for native title claims.

Topic 2: Australia as a Global Citizen

Human rights and international law

Q1. What are human rights?

A: Basic rights and freedoms every person has simply because they are human, regardless of race, gender or religion.

Q2. Give three examples of human rights.

A: The right to life, freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

Q3. Why are human rights important?

A: They protect individuals from discrimination, unfair treatment and abuse of government power.

Q4. What is the difference between individual and group rights?

A: Individual rights protect each person, while group rights protect the shared interests of communities or cultural groups.

Q5. What is the United Nations (UN)?

A: An international organisation created in 1945 to promote peace, security, cooperation and human rights.

Q6. Why was the United Nations created?

A: To prevent future world wars, encourage peaceful cooperation and protect human rights after World War II.

Q7. What is international law?

A: Rules and agreements governing relationships between countries and their international responsibilities.

Q8. What is a treaty?

A: A legally binding agreement between countries or other recognised international parties.

Q9. What is a bilateral treaty?

A: An agreement between two countries.

Q10. What is a multilateral treaty?

A: An agreement between three or more countries.

Q11. What does ratification mean?

A: A country's formal agreement to be legally bound by a treaty internationally.

Q12. What is the difference between signing and ratifying a treaty?

A: Signing generally shows support and an intention to consider joining. Ratifying formally commits the country to the treaty.

Q13. Does ratifying a treaty automatically make it Australian law?

A: No. Australia generally needs to pass domestic legislation before treaty obligations can be enforced in Australian courts.

International human rights agreements

Q14. What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?

A: A 1948 United Nations declaration establishing common standards for the rights and freedoms of all people.

Q15. Why was the UDHR created?

A: To protect human dignity and prevent atrocities and human rights abuses following World War II.

Q16. Is the UDHR a legally binding treaty?

A: No. It is a declaration that guides international human rights standards.

Q17. What is CERD?

A: The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, aimed at eliminating racial discrimination.

Q18. What does CERD protect?

A: Equal rights and treatment regardless of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Q19. When did Australia ratify CERD?

A: In 1975.

Q20. How did CERD influence Australian law?

A: The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 helped implement Australia's international obligations to combat racial discrimination.

Q21. What is the ICCPR?

A: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, protecting freedoms such as speech, religion, political participation and fair trials.

Q22. What is UNDRIP?

A: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, protecting Indigenous peoples' rights, cultures and self-determination.

Q23. When did Australia support UNDRIP?

A: Australia formally endorsed it in 2009.

Q24. Is UNDRIP a legally binding treaty?

A: No. It is a declaration that guides government policies and international expectations.

Australia's global responsibilities

Q25. What does being a global citizen mean?

A: Recognising that countries have responsibilities beyond their borders and should help address worldwide problems.

Q26. What is foreign aid?

A: Financial, humanitarian or technical assistance provided by one country to help another.

Q27. Why does Australia provide foreign aid?

A: To reduce poverty, improve healthcare, support development and strengthen regional stability.

Q28. What is peacekeeping?

A: International efforts to maintain peace, protect civilians and support stability in conflict-affected regions.

Q29. Give an example of Australia's involvement in peacekeeping.

A: Australia contributed personnel to missions in East Timor from 1999 to 2013, helping support its transition to independence.

Q30. What was RAMSI?

A: The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, an Australia-led mission that helped restore law and order and rebuild institutions.

Q31. What does Australia do during international natural disasters?

A: It can provide emergency supplies, medical assistance, funding and support for rebuilding.

Q32. Give an example of Australian disaster relief.

A: Australia provided emergency assistance and rebuilding support to Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam in 2015.

Q33. How does Australia help improve international healthcare?

A: By funding health programs, including tuberculosis and malaria initiatives in Papua New Guinea.

Q34. How does Australia address international climate change?

A: Through international agreements, regional cooperation and assistance to vulnerable Pacific Island nations.

Q35. Why are Australia's international responsibilities important?

A: They help protect human rights, improve global security, strengthen international relationships and support vulnerable communities.