Unit 1 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is a private members bill?
a bill introduced by a non- government representative
What is a conscience vote?
a type of voting where parliamentary members are given the right to use their judgement on a matter before parliament.
What is natural justice?
a principle of justice incorporating the rule against bias and the right to a fair hearing
What is the rule of law?
a principle saying that everybody is subject to the law
What is Stare Decisis?
Latin for ‘to stand by what is decided’
The principle upon which the doctrine of precedent relies on.
What is common law?
Judge made law.
Made by judges when deciding cases.
Inferior to statute law.
What is statute law?
Law made by parliaments.
Statute law is superior to common law.
What is the separation of powers?
Legislative- creates the law
Executive- implements the law
Judiciary- uphold the laws and interpret the constitution
All are independent and act as a check and balance on each other.
Explain why we have a court hierarchy?
Doctrine of precedent.
Appeals to higher courts.
Cases are assigned to appropriate cases.
Courts develop areas of expertise.
What does the term due process mean?
None shall be condemned without due process of law
None shall be put to answer without due process of law.
What are the rules of evidence?
Relevance Hearsay Opinion Circumstantial evidence Character
What is the division of powers?
- Federal
- State
- Local
What is Federalism?
a system of government in which sovereignty is geographically divided between one central and two or more regional governments.
What is a Liberal Democracy?
a system of government which is based on both popular sovereignty, the respect and protection of rights.
What are the Liberal Democratic principles?
- Majority rules
- Equality of political rights
- Political freedom
- Political participation
- Rule of law
- Separation of powers
What is meant by the term Non- Democratic?
governments that are not in theory and/ or in practice of not fulfilling the criteria of being democratic.
What is meant by the term Good Government?
- Limiting Government- separation of powers, sovereignty, citizenship and the rule of law.
- Checking Government- formal processes exist making government accountable to the people.
- Voice of the People- representative democracy, voting rights and a democratic society.
What are the Governor General’s roles?
Dissolve parliament
Make proclamations
Determine sitting times
Pirogue parliament
What is Political Participation?
Protests
Voting
Running as a candidate
Working in a polling station
What is Equality of Political Rights?
Right to vote- Section 7
Religious freedom- Section 116
Compulsory voting
Secret ballot
In what way does our government protect our rights?
Police force
Agencies
Constitution
What is political freedom?
Freedom of political communication
Freedom to vote without fear of repercussions
Freedom to run for parliament
What is meant by the term Majority Rules
Laws are passed by a majority vote.
To form government a majority is needed in the house of representatives.
Referendum must be a majority vote.
What is a Representative Democracy?
the people remain sovereign but are represented in government by elected members.
