Australian Politics
Lobbyists
consultant; activity of pressure group. Professional/indiv who use political skills to influence public policy *have insiders access, specialist knowledge -usually were once politicians
politics
control, direct of society Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how)
Coordinate Federalism
diff. levels of gov. leave each other alone; have discrete realms of operation/jurisdiction
Federalism
division of government duties and responsibilities between commonwealth and state gov. (constitutionally based) *more decentralized decision-making
Literalism
entire meaning of constitution/law found from reading text
Cooperative Federalism
is one in which diff. levels of gov. seek to achieve agreement on mutually determined courses of action/cooperate to try to achieve them
Proportional Representation
multi-party system. increases range of party opinion- how voting is achieved in the senate. Tends to better mirror socio-economic diversity.
Think Tanks
non-profit, non-interest based org's independent of gov's, pol. parties/ uni's that produce/principally rely on research/analysis to influence policy-making process *Page Research Centre *United States Study Centre
Cartel Party
'cartel'- market where small # of firms collide to set prices, avoid price competing. Receive customer loyalty/competition from advertising. -all have same/similar ideology however try to seek betterment over the other through advertising/seeking state support. Try to exclude one another. -gain support by using resources from the state $$$$
What is the role of territories?
*ACT and NT -can be created or abolished by parliament unlike states, which cannot be abolished. they are unicameral (no senate) -can override/disallow territory leg. -
Pressure Groups
*formalised *involved/ seek to alter public policy A type of special interest group which consists of individuals with a common concern who seek to place demands on organizations to act in a particular way or to influence a change in their behavior. e.g. Chamber of Commerce
Vertical Fiscal Imbalance (VFI)
*how money is delivered to the states delivery of services to citizens still delivered by states; commonwealth principal collector of taxes
Realism
-A theory of international relations that focuses on the tendency of nations to operate from self-interest. -challenges liberalism, arguing that states will not risk their power or security in order to achieve international cooperation in Courts: judges inevitably apply indiv. discretion in decision-making (judicial activism-take social/political considerations into account)
Marxists
-Tend towards structuralism, and believe capitalist society is organized so that an economic elite controls society, and controls far greater share of resources/goods that do those who are not elite -people who believe that those who control the economic system also control the political one
Direct Democracy
1. A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities. 2.A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule.
Governor General
1. Appointed/ represents Australia for the Queen. He/she opens parliament, has ceremonial duties, formats government in hung parliament. 2. The Queen's representative at the Federal level in Australia. The GG carries out the Queen's functions as Head of State on her behalf. The GG is appointes by the Queen and acts on advice from the PM
Legal-Rational Authority
1. Obedience on the basis of lawful authority 2. authority based in laws, rules, and procedures, not in the heredity or personality of any individual leader (rational)
What are some of the reason Australia's vote?
-class -success -gender -age -race -education
what are the importance of political parties?
-cultivate future leaders -sense of order/stability to parliament -bring individuals into processes of demo. /represent the people, bring them closer to gov. (intermediate function) -mirror ideology
What is the function of Parliament?
-determining who makes executive -making/passing laws -goal-oriented party ( def. a formal assembly of representatives, usually elected, whose main roles are to debate proposed laws, vote on them and help keep the executive accountable. *interchangeably to legislature in US
Electoral-Professional Party
-increase focus on party organization -catch-all at the professional level, advise electorates from pol. party level -more about professionalizing organizations -driven by social change -more complex
What are the four approaches to federalism?
-legal: loooks at inc. courts interpretation of distribution of powers under consititution -economic: focus of revenue collection/distribution -governmental:cooperation/coordination btween levels *main approach is Council of Aus. Gov's (COAG) -cultural: regional identity (seen in competition)
What are the party types in Australia?
-mass party -cadre party -catch-all party -electoral professional -cartel
Cadre Party
-more about gaining power over ideological representation/purity. -leader centered (focused) *historically aligned with Liberals
What has political party membership gone down in Australia?
-new way to take action (media/internet('automatic')/mail voter sheet) -reluctant to join if they do not know the issues or unless rights are threatened -structure (compulsory-decreases civic freedoms, force choices) -how well party represents issues that are of importance to that individual -increased professionalism
Who does parliament rely on?
-political parties -not president
Why is there a sep. of powers within Democracy?
-prevent tyranny -preserve indiv. liberty -rule of law
Who receives the National parties votes?
-rural businesses -farmers organizations -the bogans and rangas
Catch-All Party
-try to 'catch-all' the members -undistinguished political parties -emphasis charismatic leader -decreases focus on ideology -change policies to fit different public views *historically aligned with Labor party
High Court
1. The highest court in Australia established by the constitution and the only court with the authority to interpret the Constitution. -appellate- highest court of appeal -original-can interpret constitution -have judicial review (overturn decisions of elected parliament) -create other courts 2. Seven judges do majority decisions on the most important cases
Structrualism
1. identify that one group of people have a greater ability to control/derive benefits from society over other groups 2. Believe political power aligns with economic power, however capitalism is within the best interest of society
Global Financial Crisis
1. interest rates grew quite rapidly, and prices of houses went down, investors that invested in these houses were negatively effected... mortgages rapidly increasing (within the states) 2. an international economic recession, triggered by liquidity (high level of trade, and the assets price doesn't change) problems in the US financial system in 2008
Pluralism
1.Suggest that power be held by different groups at different times so as to not claim the support of all, or the majority. 2.A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group. *pressure groups
What are the dimensions of power?
1:concrete decision-making process in a formal place of power 2:power can be exercised secretly - way of preventing someone groups over others to participate 3:social/cultural forces influence decision-making
Referendum
A change in the law that occurs when the majority of voters vote to make the change; proposed on the constitution. Not very successful in Australia.
sovereignty
A governments absolute power or authority; derives from the state
Liberalism
A political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government (checks and balances), and the protection of private property.
Liberal Democracy
A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights. 2. emphasis on individual, rule of law, limited role of gov., assume rational behaviour
Elite Theory (Elitism)
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.Lack of citizen engagement, rise of mistrust in gov. *lobbyists, insider groups
Electorate
All of the people entitled to vote in a given election
Behavioralism
An approach to political research that emphasizes observation of individual political behavior, as contrasted with approaches that focus on political documents and laws. *look at voting, electoral participation, psychological characteristics
Coalition
Bringing parties together; several parties cooperate which reduces dominance by any one party within the coalition. Usually formed in times of crisis
What does contemporary debate in Australia say about democracy?
Challenged by globalization (Asia-pacific involvements), decision-making is limited when multiple views are voiced
Regulatory Federalism
Diff. levels of gov. operate in a reg. framework, with federal level taking on policy development/ state level focusing on implementation
Institutionalism
Difficult to change. An approach to explaining politics that argues that political institutions are crucial to understanding political behavior.
Post- Structuralism
Emphasis multiple meanings of texts, as there are infinite interpretations of virtually anything. This effects a texts abilities to close off other alternative possibilities, which is what structuralism tried to achieve. e.g.Seen by the changes in economy: punishment now would in tail taking money, back then it would mean extraction of labour from the body
Representative Democracy
Focus more on representation than participation. As a result, there is more of a focus on voting systems, parliaments, and executives
Traditional Authority
Forms of authority in which the legitimacy of a leader is rooted in custom (sympathetic)
What is a constitution?
Fundamental component of liberal democracy, establishes 'rule of game' between people and gov., places legal limits on what gov. can do and establish. Is bias to the creator and implies rule of law during the time of the framers
What is Parliament composed of?
House of Reps (Green-Lower Court) and Senate (Red-Upper Court); size of representation of electorates is based on pop. size in state.
Commonwealth of Australia
January 1, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was established. Australia has their own independent government, but they still have ties to Britain.
What parties mostly rule political life in Austrlia? Hindering ideals of pluralism.
Labor and Coalition Party (chp. 12/15)
what type of democracy does Australia have?
Liberal Democracy
Ring wing in Australia are...
Liberals (but are conservative---so like republicans) -oppose immigration -
Mass Party
Link electorate to government through widespread participation. Has ideological commitment.
What is a reflection of Democracy in Australia?
Mateship. It reflects a broader collective plan, above and beyond individual concerns, looks at the greater good.
What are the emerging challenges in Australia?
Migration (asylum-seekers) and multiculturalism (Aboriginal)
Pluralism in Australia.
Minority groups, such as, independents and minor groups represent pluralism at the state and federal levels.
Charismatic Authority
Obedience on the basis of personality and transformational (inspirational)
Who choose the Prime Minister?
Parliament, US equivalent to executive branch
Who are critics of Liberal Democracy?
Pluralists and Elitists
Robson Rotation
Print multiple ballots for an electorate; list candidates in diff. order to minimize advantage a candidate listed first may receive
Organic Federalism
Relationship governed by central role of federal gov., states reducing to more administrative functions
Convention
Unwritten rules of government, established by practice
Preferential Representation
To win you need 50%+1, if not evenly divided then start redistributing minor party with least votes to major parties in contest
What system of government does Australia use?
Washminster system- "washington" + "westminister" (majoritarian)
Republican Democracy
a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders, focused on new social virtues (old-opposition to tyranny and church); think in the best interest of the whole
Civic Culture
a groups collective orientations or assumptions about pol. institutions and processes. These orientations or assumptions include cognitions, emotions, and judgements about politics
Social Movement
a loose coalition or network of indiv's groups and orgs that aim to change fundamental social values -do not have structure -unformal, do not want to directly address gov. want to get ppl aware
Globalisation
a process by which different countries have increasingly become interconnected through rapid flows of capital, information, values, and people. Is sometimes claimed to make it difficult or impossible for gov. in countries like Australia to pursue public policies that are different from those of other countries
What is the Green party considered?
a social movement or community organization
Legalism
a strand of judicial interpretation that ignores any political or social consequences when interpreting the meaning of the constitution
Interest Groups
an organization that seeks to influence public policy w/out contesting pol. office
economic
can influence government with decision-making in relocating products
Rule of Law
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
FPP (First- Past Post)
single member electorate, reduces the opinion to 2-party contest. Need the most votes to win. American
Left wing parties in Australia are...
socialist, seek to redistribute income/wealth. (are our American equivalent of democrats)
Horizontal Fiscal (HFE)
state collect different rates of tax because of diff. tax bases
Political Institution
structures of a poltical system that carry out the work of governing-legislatures, executives, judicial systems, bureaucracies, and armies
Charismatic Leader
superhuman, unconditional compliance, statements make blind followers. Obama's "change we need" slogan - captured many Americans
White Australia Policy
the name given to policies and laws that restricted European immigration to Australia from the late-19th century to the 1970s because of moral panic, and identity of 'the people' crisis
what are the four types of federalism determined by?
the relationship differences between the commonwealth and the state. From increasing to decreasing levels of state autonomy
jurisdiction
the state/territory
What are the three types of authority?
traditional,charismatic, and legal-rational