Chapter 1 Democracy and Rule of Law ROBYN

Question 1

Definition: Democracy

Answer 1

• Democracy is a form of government in which the people govern themselves

Question 2

What is a representative democracy?

Answer 2

In a representative democracy is when the people vote for who they want to represent them in parliament

Question 3

What is Majority rule?

Answer 3

Majority rule - The will of the majority is now expressed through the composition of the elected parliament rather than directly in every decision of the law.

Question 4

What is liberal democracy?

Answer 4

Liberal democracy is a form of government in which a country’s sovereignty is vested in its citizens so the people have a right to govern themselves this is not a simple majority rule because a liberal democracy respects the rights of minorities to stop oppression.

Question 5

What is the 4 operating principles democracy?

Answer 5

• Majority rule: legislation chosen by the people. Laws are made up of parliament by representatives elected by the people.
• Equality of political rights: Political rights are entitlements essential to citizens’ ability to govern themselves. They are allowed to vote (any person who is a citizen (over 18) can vote
• Political Freedom: Political freedoms are entitlements people have to allow them to participate in their government. They are able to make choices without intimidation, coercion or pressure from those with power. They are allowed freedom of speech unless it is racist or offensive and can create pressure groups
• Political participation: This occurs when people actively take care of their own government. They do this by voting, learning about debate issues, pressure groups, writing to parliament, protesting and donating.

Question 6

What is one principle of Majority rule?

Answer 6

A legislature chosen by the people. Laws are made by a parliament composed of representatives chosen by the people. This ensures that Laws reflect the values of majority rules.

Question 7

What is another principle of Majority rule?

Answer 7

An executive is chosen by the people. The executive known as the government executives the laws and makes policies to implement

Question 8

What is Political rights?

Answer 8

Political rights are essential to citizens’ ability to govern themselves.

Question 9

What is political freedom?

Answer 9

Political freedoms are entitlements people have that enable them

Question 10

What is political participation?

Answer 10

Occurs when people actively take part in their own government, use of rights and freedoms

Question 11

What is the Rule of Law?

Answer 11

the principle by which everyone is subject to the law and no one is above the law
- The law that protects citizens equally and political rights/freedoms

Question 12

What is the universality Law

Answer 12

Nobody above the Law

Question 13

What should Laws be?

Answer 13

Clear, coherent, concise and well known

Question 14

What methods are used to uphold the rule of Law

Answer 14

Judicial independence is a mathod that upholds the rule of law because it guarentees that judges cannot be pressured by gov or powerful people to make descisions in court taht would apply the law unequally to a group or individual.

Question 15

What does it mean when said ‘freedoms and equality before the law’

Answer 15

Rule of Law exists when the law protects citizens equality and political rights and freedoms. This protects

Question 16

How to make the law work

Answer 16

• must be created
• carried out or administered
• applied in ways that resolve specific disputes

These three aspects of the law are separated from each other in liberal democracy.

When powers are separated they can provide accountability, or check and balances

Question 17

What is the principle of Seperation of powers

Answer 17

It is the idea that the organisation of the functions of governemnt are organised in such away that prevents concentration of powers in the hands of one leader or an elite group

Question 18

Case study: separation of powers

Answer 18

Clive palmer case vs WA

Question 19

What are the branches in those powers?

Answer 19

• Judicial
• Branches
• Executive

Question 20

Definition: Legislation

Answer 20

They make or create the law, they are called a parliament, congress or assembly. The key part of representation in parliament. This institution is directly elected and expresses majority rule. Citizens delegate their sovereignty to members of parliament.

Question 21

Definition: Judicial

Answer 21

Judiciaries resolve disputes by interpreting the law in specific cases. The courts are arranged in lower to higher and lower to solve minor disputes.

Question 22

Definition: Executive

Answer 22

Executives administer or execute the law made by the legislature. An executive may be called a cabinet, ministry, or administrates. They contain ministers, and ministers are responsible for areas such as defence or welfare.

Question 23

Definition: Parliamentarians

Answer 23

Parliamentarians = create laws

Question 24

Definition: Ministers

Answer 24

Ministers = administer, or carry out the law

Question 25

Definition: Judges

Answer 25

Judges = Decide on how the law applies in specific cases and make legally binding decisions

Question 26

Definition: Checks

Answer 26

Checks- Are limits to power

Question 27

Definition: Balances

Answer 27

Balances- are an equivalent of different types of power