AOS 1: Definitions Flashcards
Left
Has come to represent the forces of progress and reform.
Example: The movement for climate change action
Right
Has come to represent the forces of conservatism and reaction
Example: The anti-abortion (pro-life) movement
Conservative
Traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation
Example: the Liberal party in Aus has conservative policies (eg. minimising action on climate change)
Moderate
Occupying the centre, with a mainstream position avoiding extreme views
Progressive
Want change and reform to benefit the people
Radical
A desire of extreme change to part or all of social order / structure
Example: Greta Thunberg has radical opinions on climate change in particular
Liberalism
A political ideology that places an emphasis on individual autonomy, free will and ‘the right to choose’.
Example: the pro-choice movement
Reactionary
Opposing political or social progress or reform.
Democracy
A system of government by which the whole population or eligible members of a state elected representatives
Legitimacy
Political power that is broadly accepted by the population. (Usually granted through democratic/transparent means)
Governance
The action or manner of governing a state, organisation, etc.
Separation of Powers
The principle that the three branches of government, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, should be kept independent and act without interference from each other as means of decentralising and preventing abuse of power.
Example: the courts response to robo-debt in Aus
Universal Suffrage
The right of almost all adults to vote in political elections and all votes hold the same value.
Power
The ability of an actor to achieve their desired aims by influencing and controlling the actions of another.
Hard Power
An actor’s capacity to use force, in order to coerce others to achieve its aims.
Example: Government response to protests in Iran (violence)
