Civics and Citizenship

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

The body within society that has the authority to govern and make laws

Question 2

Autocracy

Answer 2

Is a type of government where one person possesses unlimited power and citizens have limited role in government e.g North Korea

Question 3

Oligarchy

Answer 3

A type of government where a small group exercises control and citizens have limited role in government

Question 4

Democracy

Answer 4

A type of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly of indirectly through a system of representation involving free elections

Question 5

Representative Democracy

Answer 5

A type of democracy where supreme power is vested in the people. They elect representatives to make decisions and laws on their behalf in parliament, they also select the head of government

Question 6

Constitutional monarchy

Answer 6

A king or queen acts as head of state but their power is limited by the constitution and a law making body elected by the people

Question 7

Federal system

Answer 7

In democracy we have the opportunity to elect representatives at more than one level of government . (Local , state, federal). Each of these in Australia are different and are responsible for different services

Question 8

Local Government

Answer 8

Run by the local council, are responsible for roads

Question 9

State government

Answer 9

Run by leader of states/territories, responsible for tax, education

Question 10

Federal government

Answer 10

Run by the prime minster, responsible for trade, military

Question 11

Democracy (key concept)

Answer 11

A system of government run by the people for the people. People elect people to represent them, the representatives develop policies on our behalf.

Question 12

Democratic values

Answer 12

The ideals and beliefs that are held by our society as a democracy. This way we can assess how well we are operating as a true democracy. The values includes respect, equality, fairness, freedom

Question 13

Westminster system

Answer 13

A form of parliamentary government from the UK. It includes head of state, head of government, 2 Houses of Parliament and courts

Question 14

Participation

Answer 14

The way citizens take part in society e.g voting, protests, lobbying

Question 15

Rights and responsibilities

Answer 15

Our entitlements and duties as citizens. Our rights let us have a say e.g to vote, trial by jury, financial. Our responsibilities ensure we contribute e.g pay tax

Question 16

Justice

Answer 16

People should be treated in a manner that is fair and balanced for a fair outcome e.g legal system

Question 17

Separation of powers

Answer 17

Is a group powers which consists of three groups of people and avoids one group having all the power

Question 18

Legislative

Answer 18

Has the power to make laws and consists of the House of Representatives, senate and monarch which is represented by the governor general. They all make up Australia’s federal parliament

Question 19

House of Representatives

Answer 19

Made up of 151 members with their role being to understand the concerns of the people in their local electorate and represent them in Parliament House in Canberra. They help pass and modify laws

Question 20

Senate

Answer 20

Their role is to understand concerns of the people living in their state or territory and represent them in parliament. They review bills introduced by the House of Representatives

Question 21

King/Governor general

Answer 21

Represent the monarch in Australia and provide royal ascent to bills passed by parliament

Question 22

Executive

Answer 22

Executive have the power to put laws into action .Power is generally exercised by ministers selected from both houses.

Question 23

Role of ministers

Answer 23

Their role is to develop national policies such as foreign affairs or bills. These include ideas for new laws or putting laws into action through government departments, in order to make important decisions for Australians e.g representing Australia overseas

Question 24

Judiciary

Answer 24

The constitution grants judicial power to the high courts and empowers parliament to create other federal courts and to vest judicial power in state and territory courts

Question 25

Role of justice

Answer 25

Be an independent, a judicator or an umpire to disagreements

Question 26

Policy

Answer 26

A principle or plan to solve a problem

Question 27

Agenda setting

Answer 27

The first step in the policy making cycle, you need to identify a problem, research it and set agenda

Question 28

Formulation

Answer 28

The second step in the policy making cycle, develop options and strategies to solve your problem. Begin to negotiate and formulate your policy

Question 29

Implementation

Answer 29

The third step in the policy making cycle, Enforce and implement your policy

Question 30

Review

Answer 30

The fourth step in the policy making cycle, begin to monitor, report and evaluate your policy to see how effective it is

Question 31

Policy change

Answer 31

A policy change is only possible if the “Politics” environment is right

Question 32

Political party

Answer 32

An organisation formed around common political beliefs, which seek representation in parliament so that it can influence law making

Question 33

Independent candidate

Answer 33

Someone who does not belong to or represent a political party but can be elected to the house of representatives or senate

Question 34

Role of political parties

Answer 34

Providing representation, forming government, policy formulation, influencing law making, campaigning, ensuring accountability, influencing public opinion

Question 35

Providing representation

Answer 35

Political parties represent various ideologies, interests and values of different segments of the population. They provide a means for citizens to have their voices heard in political process

Question 36

Forming Government

Answer 36

In Australia’s parliamentary system, the party (or coalition of parties) that holds the majority of seats in the house of representatives forms the government. The leader of the majority party becomes the prime minister. Thus political parties play a crucial role in determining who leads the country and holds executive power

Question 37

Policy formulation

Answer 37

Parties develop and advocate for policies on a wide range of issues, including healthcare, education, the economy, environment and foreign affairs. Through their platforms and manifestos, parties outline their proposed solutions to societal problems and priorities if they come to power

Question 38

Influencing law making

Answer 38

Members of political parties in the parliament introduce, debate and vote on legislation. Party discipline often determines how members vote on bills, with members typically expected to vote in line with their party’s position

Question 39

Campaigning

Answer 39

Political parties engage in election campaign to promote their candidates and policies, they use various strategies such as advertising, rallies debates, and door to door canvassing to attract voters and secure electoral support

Question 40

Ensuring accountability

Answer 40

Parties not in government form the opposition. They scrutinise the governments actions, policies and decisions holding them accountable through parliamentary debates , questioning and inquiries. The opposition also offers alternative policies and serves as a check on the power of the ruling party

Question 41

Influencing public opinion

Answer 41

Political parties play a vital role in shaping public opinion through their communication strategies and media presence. They use various channels to disseminate information, promote their messages and influence public perceptions on political issues

Question 42

Role of independents

Answer 42

Providing representation, law making, ensuring accountability, presenting alternative views, influencing policy, advocating for their local community

Question 43

Proving representation (independents)

Answer 43

Independents represent various interests and concerns for their constituents. They often focus on local issues and may not be bound by the ideologies or party platforms typical of major parties

Question 44

Law making

Answer 44

Independents can hold seats in the parliament and participate in the legislative process. They can introduce bills, participate in debates and vote on legislation based on their individual judgment rather than party lines

Question 45

Ensuring accountability (independents)

Answer 45

Independents often scrutinise the actions of the government and hold it accountable for its decisions. They act as watchdogs, raising concerns about potential landscape, ensuring that a broader range of opinions is considered in policy debates

Question 46

Presenting alternative views

Answer 46

Independents provide a platform of diverse views and perspectives that may not align with those of major parties. They offer an alternative voice in the political landscape, ensuring that a broader range of opinions is considered in policy debates.

Question 47

Influencing policy

Answer 47

Independents especially when holding the balance of power in a hung parliament, can play a crucial role in determining the outcome of votes and influencing government decisions. They may negotiate with major parties to secure concessions or support for specific policies benefiting their constituents

Question 48

Advocating for their local community

Answer 48

Independents typically engage closely with their local communities, advocating for their needs and priorities. They may run grass roots campaigns and initiatives to address specific issues affecting their constituents

Question 49

History of Australia’s legal system

Answer 49

For 65,000 years plus Australia has been inhabited by the First Nations people who follow customary law. The British replaced this with their own system of law when they colonised Australia

Question 50

Customary law

Answer 50

A body of unwritten rules that have been followed by a particular community or group of people for many generations

Question 51

Contemporary Australian law

Answer 51

Australia adopted their own laws and now maintains a common law system. A common law system is where a judge made law from superior Australian court is used

Question 52

Court hierarchy

Answer 52

High court, Supreme Court, district court, magistrates court

Question 53

Precedent

Answer 53

A law made by a judge in court followed by lower courts

Question 54

Appeal

Answer 54

When you have your case reheard by a higher court

Question 55

Communism

Answer 55

Where most things are government owned, and everyone receives the resources they need . The idea of communism is to in-still there is a fair distribution of resources between everyone e.g Russia, Vietnam, china

Question 56

Capitalism

Answer 56

An economic system which deals with wealth and money, where citizens run there own companies and businesses, the idea of capitalism is to make a profit and is in countries such as the u.s and Germany

Question 57

Conservatism

Answer 57

A government type which aims to keeps traditions and not change, the idea of conservatism is to follow traditions and keep things the same and can be found in religious countries

Question 58

Liberalism

Answer 58

Having free will and rights to do what you like but you can not infringe upon the rights of other peoplee.g europe

Question 59

Fascism

Answer 59

A government type where the government controls everything and citizens have no say or control in what happens e.g china

Question 60

Who is an independent

Answer 60

Kate Chaney