Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of a democracy?
A democracy is a government that vests its power in its citizens, allowing them to make decisions either through direct voting or the election of representatives
What is the definition of direct democracy?
Direct democracy was the first form of democracy, where citizens would gather to make decisions.
What is the definition of pure democracy?
A system of government that runs purely on majority rule, with no laws preventing the targeting of minority groups, which often leads to a “tyranny of majority”.
What is a liberal democracy?
A liberal democracy is a system of government which seeks to uphold majority rule, but not at the expense of individual rights and freedoms
What are the principles of a liberal democracy?
- Majority rule
- equality of political rights
- political participation
- political freedoms
- rule of law
What is the rule of law?
The rule of law means that we’re governed by the laws of the land, not by the people who make them, and no one is above or below the law
What are some examples of when the rule of law was upheld?
- The Johnny Depp border security case
- judge Seinfeld sent to jail for perjury case
What are some examples of when the rule of law was undermined?
- The palmer act of 2020
- race based laws
-Wombat stoning case
What are the 3 branches of government?
Legislative, executive, and judicial
What does the legislative branch do?
At its simplest, the legislative branch makes laws.
What is the legislative branch made up of?
The commonwealth parliament, which is made up of the crown, the House of Representatives, and the senate.
What does the executive branch do?
The executive branch administers the law.it carries out the laws that the legislative branch creates.
What is the executive branch made up of?
The prime minister and their cabinet, the crown, and public servants such as the police and the ATO.
What does the judicial branch do?
Interprets and applies the law.
What makes up the judicial branch?
The court hierarchy, specifically the high court, which is composed of 6 justices and 1 chief justice
