Key terms (AUS - U3 - U4)

Question 1

franchise

Answer 1

The right to vote in an election

Question 2

Constitutional monarchy

Answer 2

A political system with a hereditary monarch, whose powers are limited by a constitution

Question 3

Executive

Answer 3

The executive is the government and has the function of carrying out or administering the law. In Australia, the Governor General and ministers of the governing party carry out this role.

Question 4

Federalism

Answer 4

A system of government in which the law making powers and responsibilities are constitutionally divided between a central, national government and a series of state or regional governments.

Question 5

Judiciary

Answer 5

The judiciary refers to the courts which interpret and apply the law. This role is carried about by the courts; in particular the High court. In a democracy, the judiciary should be independent of the executive and legislative branches.

Question 6

Legislature

Answer 6

The institution which has the function of making and debating the law. The key federal law making body in Australia is the parliament.

Question 7

Liberal democracy

Answer 7

A political system that combines the two principles of political theory: that individuals have rights (liberalism) and that political rule should be by the people (democracy). Liberal democracies usually pursue policies that encourage capitalism and private sector investment

Question 8

Mandate

Answer 8

The authority given to a political party to form government and implement policies, as a result of their democratic election by the people

Question 9

Prime minister

Answer 9

The leader of the political party (or coalition of parties) with a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The prime minister has the day to day role of leading the executive branch and administering the nation.

Question 10

Representative democracy

Answer 10

A political system where people vote for other citizens in free and fair elections, to act on their behalf in the legislative branch.

Question 11

Representative government

Answer 11

A political system where the legislative and executive functions are carried out by the citizens who have been elected to make decisions on behalf of the people

Question 12

Responsible government

Answer 12

The term used to describe a political system where the executive government, the Cabinet and ministry, is drawn from, and accountable to the legislative branch.

Question 13

Rule of law

Answer 13

The democratic principle that all people are equal before the law including members of the executive, and that all government action will be undertaken in accordance with the law.

Question 14

Separation of powers

Answer 14

The principle that the three branches of government, the legislative, executive and judiciary should be kept independent and act without interference from each other as means of decentralising and preventing abuse of power. In Australia this is blurred as the executive and legislative are blurred and combined.

Question 15

Constitution

Answer 15

A written document which provides the framework for a governments powers.

Question 16

Formulation

Answer 16

Formulation is the process undertaken to develop a policy with the intention of implementing it

Question 17

Implementation

Answer 17

implementation is the act of putting a policy into action.

Question 18

Executive

Answer 18

Executive
The executive is the government and has the function of carrying out or administering the law. In Australia, the Governor General and ministers of the governing party carry out this role (VCAA).

Question 19

Prime Minister

Answer 19

The prime minister of the leader of the political party (or coalition of parties) with a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The prime minister has the day-to-day role of leading the executive branch and administering the nation (VCAA).

Question 20

Cabinet

Answer 20

The Cabinet is a body composed of the prime minister and senior ministers. It is the key policy making body and carries out the work of the executive branch in practice (VCAA).

Question 21

Ministry

Answer 21

The Ministry are those members of government who have a responsibility for a particular portfolio or policy area.

Question 22

The public service

Answer 22

The public service contains government departments, consisting of unelected and non-political public servants who administer government policies and provide advice on policy to ministers.

Question 23

Interest groups

Answer 23

A group of like-minded people who work to influence government policy and decision making, either for the benefit of those they represent or society more broadly, but do not seek election themselves.

Question 24

Policy platforms

Answer 24

A written set of ideas or plans for action to achieve particular outcomes in government, which are devised by political parties and campaigned on by them prior to an election (VCAA)

Question 25

Mandate

Answer 25

The authority given to a political party to form government and implement policies, as a result of their democratic election by the people.

Question 26

Independents

Answer 26

Independents are individuals who are not aligned to any political party.

Question 27

national interest

Answer 27

The national interests of a state are pursued to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state. States implement policies and types of power to achieve their national interests and maintain state sovereignty.

Question 28

bipartisan

Answer 28

Agreement by the two major political parties in Australia (the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party ALP) on a policy or political issue.

Question 29

bilateral

Answer 29

Action or agreement by two nation states on a foreign policy issue

Question 30

Multilateral

Answer 30

Action or agreement by more than two nation states on a foreign policy issue

Question 31

Sovereignty

Answer 31

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).

Question 32

foreign aid

Answer 32

The purpose of the Australian foreign aid program is to promote Australia’s national interests by contributing to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in other countries.

Question 33

terrorism

Answer 33

Terrorism is the use or threatened use of force or violence against civilian and non-military targets in order to achieve political objectives. Terrorism is caused by dissatisfaction with political, social and economic conditions, perceived injustices arising from foreign intervention, ideological or religious reasons, alienation or marginalism.

Question 34

asylum seekers

Answer 34

A person who has fled their home country to escape persecution and who is looking for protection and safety in another country as a refugee.

Question 35

refugees

Answer 35

A person who has fled their state due to fear of persecution in their home state and is determined to be a refugee according to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Question 36

national security

Answer 36

This is the national interest of a state to ensure it maintains sovereignty. Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders but has evolved to include other forms of security, such as resource and environmental security, which are necessary for a state to maintain sovereignty.

Question 37

global citizenship

Answer 37

Membership of the global community that requires certain rights, privileges and responsibilities. A global citizen may refer to a state, non-state actor or an individual.