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Humanities > humanities semester 1 EXAM > Flashcards

humanities semester 1 EXAM Flashcards

1
Q

define civil society

A

a civil society refers to a community or nation that values civility as well as supporting organisations that give back to the community or nation that the people support (e.g. volunteer communities, government organisations)

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2
Q

define common good

A

acting in a way that best represents the needs of an entire community or nation, not just an individual

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3
Q

what are the threats to common good and a civil society

A
  • the influence vested interests
  • organised crime
  • corruption
  • lawlessness
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4
Q

explain the impact of the influence of vested interests

A
  • vested interests are individuals or groups within Australia that demand special privileges
  • They often pressure or lobby the government into formulating policies and enacting legislation to their advantage
    IMPACTS:
  • the government becomes less legitimate if hey are influenced by vested interest groups
  • vested interest groups may donate money in order to influence how politicians vote on bills
    EXAMPLES:
  • big businesses (e.g. coles)
  • mining companies (e.g. Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton)
  • Think Tanks
  • Lobby Groups
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5
Q

Explain Corruption

A

Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain.

It can pervade all aspects of political life.

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6
Q

Explain Lawlessness

A

In Australia, lawlessness is generally associated with gangs who act in an unruly and sometimes violent manner with no regards for the law.

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7
Q

What are the impacts of corruption?

A

Corruption erodes the trust of the population and prevents democracy from operating as intended.

Degradation of the environment: this occurs through illegal access to natural resources.

Inefficient government and ineffectual officials.

More expensive consumer products.

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8
Q

What are the impacts of lawlessness?

A

Risk to public safety.

Some members of these gangs can become disconnected from society and involved in organised crime.

It has become easier to organise large gatherings so there is an increase in young gangs.

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9
Q

What are some examples corruption?

A

Government is targeted because its members are in positions of power.

Judges can be bribed.

Members of the electorate can be offered bribes in return for their votes.

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10
Q

What are some examples of lawlessness?

A

Street violence

Vandalism

Other minor crimes commited by young gangs.

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11
Q

What are the seperation of powers in ausralias constitution?

A
  • Legislative
  • Executive
  • Judiciary
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12
Q

What is the legislative? What does it do?

A

-Parliament: house of representatives + senate.

Both houses must agree to a bill before it can become a law (this divides power between the two houses)

The constitution provides a solution to an impasse in that the government has the option, but also the risk, of calling a double dissolution of parliament in which both houses are dissolved and a fresh election for the entire parliament is held.

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13
Q

What is the senate often called and why?

A

The states house.

because each state has equal membership.

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14
Q

What is the house of representatives often called and why?

A

The peoples house.

because each member represents a relatively equal number of people.

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15
Q

What is the executive?

A
  • Federal Executive Council.
    • Queens ministers of
      state.
      - cabinet - PM
      - junior ministers

-Governor-General

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16
Q

What does the executive do? Power and responsibilties?

A

The executive is the ladders who govern a state or a nation - in our federal political system the executive consists of both the Governer-general and the “Queens Ministers of state”.

Ministers: cabinet - PM and Junior Ministers

Each member is responsible for the civil servants who work in the particular Government Department the Minister controls.

There are both senior and junior ministers.

Federal Executive Council
Consists of all the ministers.
Advises governor-general
When the council gives their advice, the process is termes “Governer-General in Council.”

Governer-General
The Queens’s representative in Austeralia.
Appoints all other members of the executive.

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17
Q

What is the judiciary? Power and responsibilities?

A

It’s created by the Constitution.

It’s the highest court.

Interprets constitution

can also hear appeals from supreme, federal and family courts

decide on cases of special significance

hear disputed between state and federal court (E.G. TASMANIAN DAMS CASE)

The High Court has to hear appeals concerning judgements and decisions (Annellate Jurisdiction)
Justices of the high court.

(Judges)
Can overturn any verdict, sentence or ruling made by any state or Federal Court.
High Courts decisions are binding and is accepted as the final decision on the subject.

When the High Court makes their final decision, an lower courts must follow the High Courts interpretation.

High Court can overturn any federal law that the court finds to be unconstiutional.

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18
Q

What are the key principles of the Australian system of government that maintain common good and civil society?

A
  • Representation
  • Participation
  • Scrutiny and Accountability
  • Decentralisation of Power
19
Q

Explain representation

A

Our system of government is a liberal democracy

It aims to protect the rights/freedom of individuals

It tries to limit government control/interference

The government are there to represent the people (representative government)

The government’s role is to make laws to regulate the behavior of the people - this shouldn’t be excessive

The government should represent the views & values of the people

20
Q

Explain Participation

A

The government represent the vies and values of the people (already stated above)

We hold regular elections - we are free to choose who we vote for. Elections are fair.

State elections are held every 4 years

Voting is compulsory for over 18 year olds

You can be fined up to $180 for not voting

Members of parliament risk being voted out at the next election if they fail to make laws that represent the views of the majority of the people.

21
Q

Explain Scrutiny and Accountability

A

Being Accountable: Governments must be able to justify their actions and decisions to voters

E.g. In Australia, governments are accountable for their actions through the process of parliamentary question time, where all members of parliament are given the opportunity to question the government on its policies and actions. Members of the public can also directly contact and question their local member of parliament’s by emailing or visiting their local members office

Principle of responsible governments ensures our governments are accountable

22
Q

Explain Decentralisation of Power

A

Our system of government is based on the principle of separation of powers

This principles ensures that no single group or body within our parliamentary system has power over both political and legal systems

Three main powers at feederal level consist of:
Executive power - the power to administer or implement the law, held by the governor general and the Prime

Minister and senior ministers

Legislative: power to make laws (held by parliament)
Judicial power: power to apply/interpret law (held by courts)`

23
Q

Define Globalisation

A

the process that involves all the countries of the world being linked together, resulting in an exchange of views, ideas, products and culture

The increasing connectedness of economic and financial systems in countries around the world; globalisation refers to a number of changes that are taking place to decrease the importance of national barriers to the production and trade of goods and services

24
Q

Evolution & Impact of Globalisation?

A

Cost of products e.g. sea freight transportation has dropped by 65% from 1930

Economy, ecology, society and politics are now interdependent throughout the world

Open Markets work towards reducing import tariffs, quotas and import bans

Globalization corporates include Europeans Nations (EU) and United Nations Organization (UNO)

25
Q

Positives of Globalisation?

A

Globalisation broadens access to goods and services.

Globalisation can lift people out of poverty.

Globalisation increases cultural awareness.

Information and technology spread more easily with globalisation.

26
Q

Negatives of Globalisation?

A

Workers in developed countries may lose out to workers in countries with cheaper labor.

Globalisation puts more power in the hands of multinational corporations.

27
Q

Explain Australia as a global citizen

A

We live in a complex, interconnected world where countries today cannot address on their own some of the major challenges we face today
Major challenged include:
- War
- Poverty
- Humanrights
- health
Australia is politically and economically stable and is therefore better places to assist globally

28
Q

What is the aim of gloablisation?

A

to “work for a greater good”

29
Q

What is Australia’s role in the UN?

A

Human rights: Australia is one of the 8 countries that drafted the declaration of human rights (1948)
Health: focusing on Aisian regions (HIV, AIDS, vaccination rates)

Migration: promote safe movement of refugees and asylum seekers

Environment: Climate change, food security and sustainable development

30
Q

What are the two types of treaties?

A

bilateral & multilateral

31
Q

What is a bilateral treaty?

A

treaty between Australia and one other country

32
Q

What is a multilateral treaty?

A

treaty between Australia and two or more other countries

A minister and in many cases, the cabinet make the final decision to sign and ratify a multilateral treaty

33
Q

What government has the power to enter treaties?

A

commonwealth government

34
Q

what does signing a treaty mean?

A

that Australia intends to be bound to the treaty at a later date

35
Q

what is ratifying a treaty?

A

the process that legally binds Australia to implement the treaty

36
Q

What are some examples of treaties that have been signed and the ratified?

A

Treaty: ‘Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women’

Law created in Australia (ratifying it): Sec Discrimination ACt (1984)

37
Q

What is the High Court?

A

Australia’s highest court
Responsible for interpreting constitution

Can also be asked to:

  • Hear appeals from the supreme, federal and family courts,
  • Hear disputed between the state and federal government (EXAMPLE TASMANIAN DAMS CASE)
  • Decide on cases of special significance
38
Q

What are some examples of famous high court cases?

A 
Mabo case (1992)
Malaysian solution (2001)
Marriage act
Tasmanian dam case (1983)
39
Q

Explain Australia’s failure to follow treaties.

A

Failure to live up to international obligations can result in international pressure to change policy

The UN plays a role in monitoring how Australia is performing in relation to international obligations

The UN report card gave Australia poor scores in the following:

Climate change: D

  • Too many fossil fuels
  • Needs stronger climate change targets

Refugees & asylum seekers: F

  • Australia has increasing hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers
  • Policies are not fulfilling international obligations
40
Q

Give an example of a high court case

A
  • Tasmanian Dams Case (1983)
  • tas govt. established Hydro Electric Commission (HEC)
  • intent: build a dam in the Franklin River area to generate electricity
  • this area was of Aboriginal cultural significance
  • however, the federal govt. became signatory to the treaty with the UN for the convention of the protection of worldwide national heritage (CPWCNH)
  • govt. ratified this treaty in 1983 by creating a law called the World Heritage Conservation Act
  • according to fed. govt. tas. could not build the dam was Tas. govt. kept building
  • Fed Govt. took Tas. Govt. to High Court
  • High court decided in favour for Tas. Govt. because australia’s external affairs powers overruled Tasmanian state govt. powers in conjunction with CPWCNH
41
Q

Explain Australia’s foreign aid responsibilities

A
  • Foreign aid: assistance in the form of money, skills or other resources transferred from one country to another, mainly for humanitarian reasons
  • Countries in Australia’s immediate region are the main foreign recipients
  • these includes: Indonesia, Cambodia, and Fiji
  • Examples of foreign aid provisions:
    1. schools
    2. roads
    3. water supply
    4. medical assistance
  • emergency aid may be offered in a humanitarian criss which threatens the health and safety of a whole community e.g. After Typhoon Haiyan in 2013
42
Q

Explain Australia’s peacekeeping responsibilities

A
  • UN peacekeeping assists countries who have been torn by conflict to achieve lasting peace. It does this by:
  • protecting civilians
  • overseeing elections
  • disarming those who were involved in fighting
  • protecting & promoting human rights
  • restoring rule of law to a region
  • 3 basic principles that guide the UN peacekeeping:
    1. consent of parties
    2. impartiality
    3. use of force as a measure of last resort
  • peacekeepers can be instructed by the Un to “Use all necessary means” to protect the 3 basic principles
  • Australia has contributed to the Un peacekeeping with over 3500 Australians serving
43
Q

explain Australia’s responsibility to protect the environment

A
  • most important area of focus is climate change
  • Aus. has national and int. responsibility to reduce GHE to reduce climate change
  • in 2008 Australia became a full member of the Kyoto Protocol: an agreement where internationally binding reduction targets were set
  • Australia cut emission by 5% by 2020
44
Q

explain Australia’s responsibility to uphold human rights

A
  • human rights are entitlements that all human beings possess, regardless of residence, place of nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, gender etc.
  • the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS was adopted by the UN in 1945 and is considered the basis of international human rights laws
  • Aus. was one of the countries that helped create this
  • some rights include:
  • everyone has the right to life
  • all people are born free and equal
  • no one should be subject to torture of slavery
  • Australia is a party to several international human rights agreements. some examples:
  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  • The International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural rights

Humanities (3 decks)

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