Chap 8 And 9 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Liberalism

A

Political philosophy emphasising the importance of freedom. In liberalism the people are the heart of political life and the rights and freedoms are the heart of justice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Representation

A

John Stuart mill implemented this idea as direct democracy was too hard to achieve.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Electoral systems

A

Electoral systems are a method where citizens delegate/entrust representatives to make decisions on behalf of them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Characteristics of fair electoral systems

A

-provide political choice
-one vote one value
-create stable parliament
-facilitate accuntability of the electives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Fundamental political rights

A

-right to vote
-freedom to associate with others
-freedom to assemble in groups that have political purpose
-freedom to access unbiased political information
-freedom of political communication
-broad opportunity to vote (universal suffrage)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Pressure groups - ‘get up’

A

Groups formed with the aim to influence law making in parliament and the courts. AIM to pressure parliament by influencing public opinion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Political parties

A

Aim to influence law making by representing an ideology/worldview. Aim to get seats in HOR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Theory of justice

A

Justice in ancient Roman times was defined as ‘people should get what they deserve.
Based on the three main ideas of rights obligations and impartiality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Rights

A

Should be respectful, universal and fundamental

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Obligations

A

People have duties which should be enforced. Obligations re to more than one party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Impartiality

A

People deserve impartial administration of law. Rules and law must be applied without bias and gov must make effective laws that do not favor one party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How does judiciary uphold justice

A

-protection of rights
-enforcement of obligations
-impartiality + fairness of judges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Natural justice - just the courts

A

-Impartial adjudication
-equal opportunities of both parties
-evidence based decisions
-an open court

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Majoritarian electoral systems

A

Focused on single member electorates and are effective at achieving majority rule and strong representation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

FPP

A

Most straightforward system, electors choose one option on ballot paper, simple majority wins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

FPP advantages

A

-simple
-amplifies winners bonus creating strong majority in parliament
-electors know who to delegate and entrust their welfare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

FPP disadvantages

A

-2 party only system
-minors/independents rarely get a seat (vote wastage)
-vote splitting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

FPP in aus

A

1918 commonwealth electoral act
Was efficient/easy however gov dominated both houses
Opposition controlling senate meant no bills passed

19
Q

Preferential voting

A

-electors number candidates in preferred order. If no candidate wins absolute majority, preferences are then distributed

20
Q

PV advantages

A

-increases majority rule
-gets rid of vote splitting
-reduces vote wastage
-creates accountability

21
Q

PV disadvantages

A

-can result in a high number of informal votes from people who misunderstand
-over representation of major parties

22
Q

Section 24

A

Members of the HOR have maximum of 3 year terms

23
Q

Section 7

A

Senators have 6 year terms with half with half the senate elected every 3 years except for double dissolution

24
Q

Issue writs

A

Call an election - GG issues writs before an election (24)

25
Q

Proportional representation

A

Aim to reflect the proportion of the vote received as a proportion of seats in parliament.
Multi-member elections, better t creating diversity and a wider variety of parties

26
Q

Single transferable vote

A

Since 1949 aus used STVPR.
Key features:
-a quota rather than majority
-above/below line voting
-one quota per seat however multi quotas per electorate
-surplus votes get transferred
-preference values continue until last seat is filled

27
Q

A quota

A

A fixed share of votes (or a proportion of formal votes cast)

28
Q

Advantages STVPR

A

-fairer to candidates/political
-greater diversity as multi member system
-hung senate therefore house of review
-greater protection of rights and freedoms

29
Q

Disadvantages STVPR

A

-difficult/complex for voters
-higher number of informal votes
-above vs below creates complications for voters
-hun senate can delay parliamentary process
-direct accountability is weaker
-hard to know who’s representing u

30
Q

Reforms to STVPR

A

1) 1984 group ticket voting to reduce complexity
2) 2016 senate reforms reducing political party control Turnbull

31
Q

Delegate representation

A

Constituents present values, concerns and interests to their representative who will represent them in parliament

32
Q

Trustee representation

A

Entrust a representatives judgement to rep their best interest in parliament

33
Q

Mirror representatives

A

When legislative chambers composition reflects composition of society

34
Q

Partisan representation

A

Representatives are members of disciplined political parties - act according to dictates of party hat

35
Q

Calculating quotas -14.3

A

Number of formal ballot papers divided by number of seats to be elected plus 1

36
Q

Surplus votes

A

Total number of votes - quota

37
Q

Transfer value

A

Surplus votes / total votes

38
Q

The aec

A

Independent voting commission that maintains electoral rolls, runs consistent training courses for employees, counts votes and declares the winner

39
Q

Malapportionment

A

The creation of electoral districts with divergent ratios of voters to representatives

40
Q

Malapportionment in HOR vs senate

A

-very little in HOR due to reforms that require an electoral population to be within 10% of the population
-persistent issues in senate as all states have 12 senators (Tasmania over represented)

41
Q

Malapportionment senate examples

A

1989 PM Paul Keating called senate ‘unrepresentative swin’ after Tasmanian senator wont pass bills

42
Q

Gerrymandering in aus

A

-deliberate drawing of an electoral boundary to disadvantage a political party. Deliberately denies equality of political rights and undermines majority rule

43
Q

Section 60

A

Fixes gerrymandering as it gives the power to draw electoral boundaries to the AEC