Comparing Political Systems

Question 1

Representative Democracy

Answer 1

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.’

Question 2

Liberal Democracy

Answer 2

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.’

Question 3

Human Rights

Answer 3

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.’

Question 4

Dictatorship

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Military Dictatorship

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Freedom of election

Answer 6

I can run as a candidate in an election.

Question 7

Freedom of movement

Answer 7

I can go out whenever I please.

Question 8

Freedom of religion

Answer 8

I can follow my religious beliefs.

Question 9

Freedom of assembly

Answer 9

I can meet up with a group of friends.

Question 10

Freedom of Speech

Answer 10

I can openly criticise the government.

Question 11

Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest

Answer 11

I know I won’t be arrested for nothing.

Question 12

Right to vote

Answer 12

When I’m 18 I can vote in elections

Question 13

Right to a fair trial

Answer 13

I know I won’t be thrown in jail without a fair trial.

Question 14

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 14

A system of government in which a monarch shares power in a constitutionally organised government (Australia is a constitutional Monarchy)

Question 15

Constitution

Answer 15

A set of rules that determines how an organisation, such as a club, government or nation, will be governed.

Question 16

Parliament

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Republic

Answer 17

A government without the monarch.

Question 18

Constituents

Answer 18

A member of an area which elects a representative to a legislative body.

Question 19

Bicameral Parliament

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Representative Parliament

Answer 20

A government that is founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people, as opposed to a direct government.

Question 21

Responsible Parliament

Answer 21

Can be held responsible for their actions

Question 22

House of Review

Answer 22

The house that reviews the laws that are proposed by the lower house. It is the Senate in Australia.

Question 23

Political Party

Answer 23

A political party is an organisation that represents a particular group of people or set of ideas.

Question 24

Independent

Answer 24

An independent is a politician not affiliated with any political party. Independents may support policies which are different from the major political parties

Question 25

Coalition

Answer 25

A temporary alliance for combined action, especially of a political parties forming government.

Question 26

Pluralism

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Interest Group

Answer 27

A group of people that seeks to influence the public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.

Question 28

Policy

Answer 28

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.