Ch 1 & 2

Question 1

Rule of law

Answer 1

The principle that all individuals are equal before the law. Limits power of government as all government actions must be lawful.

Key elements

• universality (equality before the law)
• law should be known and clear
• judicial independence

Question 2

Majority rule

Answer 2

A key operating principle of liberal democracy. In a democracy, the majority vote is decisive.

eg: Members of the lower house are chosen by the ‘will of the people’ and must win an absolute majority of votes; the Government (executive) is formed by having majority support in the lower house

Question 3

Legislative function

Answer 3

The power to make the law. Exercised by parliament through debating, scrutinising and enacting statutes.

Question 4

Executive function

Answer 4

The power to administer (carry out) the law. Exercised by the Cabinet (PM + Senior Ministers).

Question 5

Judicial function

Answer 5

The power to interpret and apply the law. Exercised by the courts (independent of the executive and Parliament) which settle disputes.

Question 6

Liberal democracy

Answer 6

A political system that combines majority rule with the protection of rights and freedoms.

Key operating principles:

• majority rule
• political freedom
• equality of political rights
• political participation

Question 7

Constitutionalism

Answer 7

The principle that the powers of government are defined and limited by a written or unwritten constitution.

Question 8

Sovereignty

Answer 8

The supreme authority to rule in a nation. In representative democracies, sovereignty is based on the consent of the people.

Question 9

Separation of powers

Answer 9

The division of executive, legislative and judicial functions into separate branches (institutions) that act separately and are independent of each other.

Question 10

Federalism

Answer 10

A system of government where the powers and responsibilities of government are divided between a central government and two or more regional governments.

eg: Australia: Cmth Parliament and six State Parliaments

Question 11

Division of powers

Answer 11

In a federal system, the Constitution allocates powers to the different levels of government. The division of powers is presided over by a constitutional court.

eg: Cmth Constitution sets out exclusive and concurrent powers; the High Court settles disputes between the levels of government.

Question 12

Accountability

Answer 12

The requirement that all public officials, both elected and appointed, should be directly or indirectly answerable to the people.

eg: Westminster chain of accountability

Question 13

Westminster system

Answer 13

A political system that originated in Britain and is based on ‘responsible parliamentary government’.

Question 14

Westminster conventions

Answer 14

Unwritten constitutional rules that govern the practice of government in systems derived from the British Westminster system.

eg: Australia has adopted several Westminster conventions such as ‘responsible parliamentary government’.

Question 15

Responsible parliamentary government

Answer 15

A Westminster convention that the executive is formed by securing majority supper in the lower house of parliament. The executive is thereby accountable to the legislature.

Question 16

Representative government

Answer 16

A political system where people elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their voice in parliament. MPs are held accountable through elections.

Contrast: direct democracy

Question 17

Constitutional monarchy

Answer 17

A system of government where the head of state is an inherited position but whose powers are limited by a written constitution or unwritten constitutional conventions.

eg Australia’s head of state is the Queen of England and her powers are defined in the Commonwealth Constitution

Question 18

Political freedom

Answer 18

A key operating principle of a liberal democracy. The ability to make choices without intimidation, coercion or pressure.

eg: freedom of speech: express political views free from oppression or sanction; freedom of assembly: peaceful protest

Question 19

Political participation

Answer 19

A key operating principle of a liberal democracy. Citizens are able to engage with and be part of the political process.

eg vote; stand as a candidate for election

Question 20

Equality of political rights

Answer 20

A key operating principle of a liberal democracy. Political rights enable political participation.

eg: ‘one vote, one value’; right to a fair trial (judicial independence, impartial judge)

Question 21

Judicial independence

Answer 21

Relates to the separation of powers: the judicial branch must be completely free from interference from the parliament or the Government. Necessary for the rule of law.

Question 22

Constitution

Answer 22

A set of rules which ‘govern the governors’. by creating and defining the institutions of power within a political and legal system.

eg: Commonwealth Constitution