Chapter 1 Terminology Flashcards
The activity of making shared public decisions. The means by which we create and modify our political and legal structures as well as deciding on specific laws and public policies.
Politics
The body that has the legal authority to set political policy, has the authority to make laws and provide public programs
Government
Are the basis of a democratic society: the right to safety and security and freedom of thought
Absolute Freedoms
Concerns the ordinary lives of individuals and their private lives which are outside the realm of government activity: includes individual’s religious belief or sexual preferences.
Private sphere of life
Where individuals must cooperate as a community in order to achieve our private aims
Public sphere of life
A political and legal system that is based upon the rule of the will of the people
Democracy
A democracy where it combines a majoritarian democracy (rule by the people) with the protection of the political, legal and social rights of individuals and minority groups.
Liberal democracy
A democracy where people vote directly on legislation
Direct democracy
A democracy where the people’s elected representatives vote on legislation
Representative democracy
Where the government does not represent the people. Usually a minority of elite make up the majority of the power and control most parts of society.
Non-democratic government
The division of government executive, legislative and judicial powers into separate arms or institutions that act separately and independent of each other.
Separation of powers
The activity of parliament in debating, scrutinizing and enacting statutes (statute law). The _______________ is the key role of elected parliaments.
Legislative function
The power to administer the law. The _________ government is a cabinet made up of ministers (from government). They form policies and decide the direction of Australia.
Executive function
The power for the courts to interpret and apply the law to individual cases.
Judicial function
The principle that all individuals are equal before the law. It can be expressed as the ‘rule of laws not of men’ meaning no one is above the law.
Rule of Law
