Comparing Political Systems Flashcards
Representative Democracy
Refers to a government which represents the views of the majority of the people. To achieve representative government there are regular elections so the people can vote for politicians to represent them in the parliament.
‘Today, Australia is a parliamentary representative democracy comprising of nine federal states.’
Liberal Democracy
A political system that combines two principles of Political theory: that individuals have rights (liberalism) and that political rule should be by the people (democracy)
‘We welcome new members to join the fight for liberal democracy.’
Human Rights
Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections that belong to every single one of us. All human beings are born with equal, inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms.
‘We acknowledged a universal equality of human rights.’
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is when there is only one individual running the state. The dictator makes all the decisions and their power is not restricted by a parliament or constitution.
Military Dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of a dictatorship where the military runs the government because they hold all the weapons and the power over the people.
Freedom of election
I can run as a candidate in an election.
Freedom of movement
I can go out whenever I please.
Freedom of religion
I can follow my religious beliefs.
Freedom of assembly
I can meet up with a group of friends.
Freedom of Speech
I can openly criticise the government.
Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest
I know I won’t be arrested for nothing.
Right to vote
When I’m 18 I can vote in elections
Right to a fair trial
I know I won’t be thrown in jail without a fair trial.
Constitutional Monarchy
A system of government in which a monarch shares power in a constitutionally organised government (Australia is a constitutional Monarchy)
Constitution
A set of rules that determines how an organisation, such as a club, government or nation, will be governed.
Parliament
The national or state law making body that is made up of elected representative in both the upper and lower house with the head of state. In Australia the national parliament is referred to as the commonwealth or federal parliament.
Republic
A government without the monarch.
Constituents
A member of an area which elects a representative to a legislative body.
Bicameral Parliament
Literally means two chambers. It contains two different assemblies. In Australia they are the Upper and Lower house or the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Representative Parliament
A government that is founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people, as opposed to a direct government.
Responsible Parliament
Can be held responsible for their actions
House of Review
The house that reviews the laws that are proposed by the lower house. It is the Senate in Australia.
Political Party
A political party is an organisation that represents a particular group of people or set of ideas.
Independent
An independent is a politician not affiliated with any political party. Independents may support policies which are different from the major political parties
Coalition
A temporary alliance for combined action, especially of a political parties forming government.
Pluralism
A condition or system where two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc. coexist. It can also be the existence of different types of people, who have different beliefs and opinions, within the same society.
Interest Group
A group of people that seeks to influence the public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.
Policy
A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organisation, government or a political party.
