Chapter 1 and 2: Fundamentals of government, democratic ideals Flashcards

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

Rule of law

A

The principle that all individuals are equal before the law. It asserts that laws must be based on consent, involve consistent and accepted procedures and apply to all actions of government as well as to individuals

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

Government

A

The body that has the legal authority to set political policy. More narrowly, it describes the political executive. In Australia this is the party/parties which hold a majority in the lower house of parliament.

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

Majority rule

A

The broad acceptance of the principle that government is determined by the will of the majority and who holds a majority in the legislature, determines law making and empowers them with a mandate

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

Statute

A

A legally enforceable legislative Act that has passed all stages in parliament, received Royal Assent and been proclaimed

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

Legislative function

A

The activity of parliament in debating, scrutinizing and enacting statutes. It is a key role of elected parliaments.

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

Executive function

A

The power to administer the law. In Australia, this authority goes to the party/parties with a majority in the lower house.

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

Judicial function

A

The activity of the courts which are independent of the executive and the parliament. Their primary function is to interpret statutes and settle disputes.

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

Liberal democracy

A

A political system that combines majoritarian democracy with the protection of political, legal and social rights. The key principles are: majority rule, political freedom, equality of political rights, political participation.

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

Constitutionalism

A

The belief that the powers of government should be limited and subject to the rule of law. It requires that the powers of the parliament should be set out in a written or unwritten constitution.

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

Sovereignty

A

The supreme authority to rule in a nation. In constitutional democracies sovereign powers are based on the consent of the people and operates through the rule of law. Parliament in the sovereign institution of government.

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

Separation of powers

A

The division of executive, legislative and judicial powers into separate arms or institutions that act separately and are independent of each other.

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

Federalism

A

A system of government where the powers and responsibilities of government are divided between a national government and two or more state or regional governments. The division of powers is presided over by a constitutional court (High Court in Australia).

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

Natural justice

A

The right of all individuals to access due process of court proceedings that enable them to argue their case before an unbiased judge and, where necessary, a jury of their peers.

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

Accountability

A

The requirement that all public officials, both elected and appointed, should be directly or indirectly answerable to the people.

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

Westminster system/model

A

A political system based on the conventions followed by the UK parliament. It is the process of responsible parliamentary government where the executive is formed through majority support in the lower house of parliament. Procedures are based on convention rather than explicit constitutional provisions.

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

Responsible government

A

A system derived from British Westminster principles in which the executive must be supported by a majority of the parliament that is itself answerable to the people.

17
Q

Representative government

A

A system where people elect their lawmakers who are held accountable to them for their activity in government.

18
Q

Constitutional monarchy

A

A system of government which supplanted monarchy, where the monarch acts on the advice of an elected parliament elected by the people and where powers are defined and limited through a constitution eg Australia, New Zealand

19
Q

Political participation

A

Describes the degree to which citizens are able to engage with and be part of the political process eg vote, stand as a member of parliament, peaceful protest, being able to do jury duty.

20
Q

Political freedom

A

The freedom to express political views free from oppression or sanction and a core principle of a liberal democracy