Democratic Principles Essay

Question 1

Strengths of political representation in Australia?

Answer 1

PV system achieves representation of the majority and strong governments
PR system represents minority groups and crates a diverse house, together they achieve electoral compromise
AEC guarantees fair and independent electoral process w/o gerrymandering

Question 2

Weaknesses of political representation in Australia?

Answer 2

Contemporary underrepresentation of Asian Australians: 4% parliament v 16% population
Malapportionment in Senate

Question 3

Strengths of political representation in USA?

Answer 3

FPP system creates adequate representation of the majority
Strong accountability due to single member electorates across country

Question 4

Weaknesses of political representation in USA?

Answer 4

Gerrymandering present in many electoral districts
Inconsistent process due to each state running elections instead of singular national one
Contemporary underrepresentation of women (27% v 51%) and overrepresentation of Christians (88% v 65%)

Question 5

Strengths of popular participation in Australia?

Answer 5

Compulsory voting = enhanced participation
Diverse range of parties in Senate
Several pressure groups that can be especially influential in crisis events

Question 6

Weakness of popular participation in Australia?

Answer 6

Most rights are vulnerably protected compared to USA, rely fairly heavily on common law with no federal bill of rights, only liberal democracy to not have one

Question 7

Strengths of popular participation in USA?

Answer 7

Strong protection of political rights through constitutional bill of rights
Long history surrounding activism keeps political rights on the public agenda e.g. Civil Rights 1960s and BLM
Pressure groups

Question 8

Weaknesses of popular participation in USA?

Answer 8

Limited choice of political parties, two-party system
Voluntary voting = lower participation

Question 9

Strengths of Australian rule of law?

Answer 9

Constitutional separation of powers
Judicial checks and balances restrain government power, e.g. Williams 2, S44 disqualifications, Communist Party Case
Judicial independence protected by S72

Question 10

Weaknesses of Australian rule of law?

Answer 10

High cost judicial system
Historical discrimination against minority groups
Legal rights vulnerable under common law

Question 11

Strengths of American rule of law?

Answer 11

Strict constitutional separation of powers
Judicial independence protected by Article 3. Appointments require Senate approval
Checks on presidential power e.g. Thompson v Trump
Legal rights e.g. right to silence strongly protected

Question 12

Weakness of American rule of law?

Answer 12

Judicial appointments can have political bias and undermines judicial independence e.g. Brett Kavanaugh