EXAM REVISION semester 1

Question 1

1. Give 4 examples of places or situations were non-formal power operates

Answer 1

Private industry, age, title, teachers, influence.

Question 2

2. Give brief definitions of the following types of rule: 
MONARCHY:
DEMOCRACY:
TYRANT:
OLIGARCHY:

Answer 2

MONARCHY: a government led by hereditary rule.
DEMOCRACY: A method of politics where people have a say in how the country is run in a spirit of social equality.
TYRANT: A person who governs oppressively, unjustly and arbitrarily.
OLIGARCHY: Rule by a small group, often a group that has the same positions of power or importance in that society.

Question 3

3. John Stuart Mill believed in protecting the rights of minorities from the ‘tyranny of the majority’. What aspect of a democratic government makes it difficult to protect the rights of minorities?

Answer 3

A democratic government is elected based on majority rule. Mill suggests that this creates the challenge of giving little voice to the minority. For example, those who vote Greens often form an unheard minority.

Question 4

4A) Where does the word democracy come from?

Answer 4

The greek word demokratia, meaning ‘rule by the people’.

Question 5

B) What was one of the limitations of 4th century democracy in Greece?

Answer 5

Slave society meant there was a large demographic who were forbidden to vote.

Question 6

C) What did the ‘divine rights of kings’ refer to? Why was this a challenge to democracy?

Answer 6

The king is appointed by God himself, meaning there is only one person who can make decisions and other opinions are not taken in to account.

Question 7

5. What is Australia’s political system best described as/ based on?

Answer 7

Australia’s political system is based on the British westminster system, a democratic constitutional monarchy.

Question 8

7. What is the parliamentary cabinet and what are portfolios?

Answer 8

Cabinet is a team of ministers, chosen by the PM to help in decision making.
Portfolios are assigned duties, e.g. minister for health/education/transport.

Question 9

8. What are electorates?

Answer 9

Voting areas with a parliamentary representative from a party.

Question 10

9. What is Australia’s voting system? What is a donkey vote? What is an informal vote?

Answer 10

• Australia’s voting system: Preferential voting system.
• Donkey vote: numbered 1-5 in order, but still formal.
• Informal: Graffiti, not valid.

Question 11

10. Who is and isn’t eligible to vote in Australia?

Answer 11

Eligible: Over 18s, Australian citizens with no criminal record.
Not Eligible: Under 18s, non-Australians with a criminal record.

Question 12

11. What are five ways young Australians can become involved in politics and political campaigns?

Answer 12

Get up!, petitions, letters to ministers, rally, social media, protests

Question 13

12. Give an example of an issue that suggests there are some problems with Australia’s democratic system. Explain which features of democracy are challenged by this issue:

Answer 13

GAY RIGHTS: a feature of democracy challenged by this issue is majority rule, the majority wants the legalisation of gay rights but the government will not pass it due to a strong minority.

Question 14

1. What are some common reasons people enter politics?

Answer 14

To represent their demographic or electorate in politics.

Question 15

2. Name three political parties in Australia that have members with seats in the House of representatives:

Answer 15

Liberal, Labor & Greens.

Question 16

3. Name and give a brief definition of a leadership style you might see in politics:

Answer 16

AUTOCRATIC: Leaders have complete leadership over staff and staff have little input. Decisions are made quickly and work gets done.

Question 17

4. What two main areas of governance usually form a party’s political ideology?

Answer 17

People + economy.

Question 18

5. Briefly summarise the main differences between traditional liberalism and social or welfare liberalism:

Answer 18

Traditional liberalism was about a free market economy, government that runs with little or no interference by government. Whereas social/welfare liberalism advocated for government intervention in order to aid education, health, and unemployment.

Question 19

6. Name three significant political challenges/movements that have occurred in Australia over the past decade:

Answer 19

Indigenous rights, Asylum seekers, Tasmanian deforestation.

Question 20

7. Give an example of one way that a group or individual has challenged political power in Australia. Describe the situation and the outcome of this challenge:

Answer 20

Eddie Mabo challenged the Australian policies on Indigenous rights.