The Seperation of Powers Flashcards
What is the separation of powers?
The SOP is a doctrine which divides law-making power between three arms of government at a particular tier of government. The three arms of the legislative, executive and judicial.
What is the role of the legislative arm?
The legislative arm is the sovereign law maker, it aims to enact statutes which represent and reflect the values of it’s people.
What is the role of the executive arm?
The executive arm enforces the law made by parliament, the responsible ministers and their respective departments administer the law to ensure effective governance.
What is the role of the judicial arm?
The role of the judicial arm is to resolve disputes by interpreting laws made by the legislative and executive arm.
What is meant by imperfect separation?
The legislative and executive arm are closely connected, as the government (E) is formed in parliament (L).
What is the importance of the separation of powers?
To diffuse power, so that no one power (or small group of people) amass power that could be misused to infringe the rights of citizens.
To allow for a system of checks and balances so that Australia is justly and effectively government, and each arm is held accountable.
