The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment. – Robert Maynard Hutchins, educator (1899-1977)
What Is Politics and Why Does It Matter?
- The Five Questions to Ask Those in Power
- What Is Politics?
- Why Study Politics? (Monash University)
- Democracy2025 – the University of Canberra, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis audit the strengths and weaknesses of Australian democracy.
- Feb 04, 2002: Why Politics Matters: A Case Study – Public Liability Insurance
- Nov 28, 1948: Robert Menzies: Politics As An Art – decades after its publication, Menzies’ words ring true in this age of spin and professional politics.
Key Terms
This is a very select list of key terms relevant to parliamentary democracies such as Australia. It doesn’t pretend to be a comprehensive list. Rather, it represents some of the key terms that I have come to see as the ones most likely to cause confusion.
Confusion often arises because Australia’s liberal democracy is built around a constitutional monarchy and the British Westminster parliamentary system, but with an elected upper house and the American federal structure grafted onto it.
- Liberal Democracy
- Constitutional Monarchy
- Parliamentary Democracy
- Westminster System
- Separation of Powers
- Federalism
- Representative Government
- Responsible Government
- The difference between ‘Government’ and ‘Parliament’
- Minority Government
- Executive Government
- The Public Service
- Separation of Church and State
Historical Documents
Australia
- Advance Australia Fair – the words of the Australian National Anthem
- Australian Citizenship – Immigration Department leaflet on citizenship (2004)
- An Australian Compact – booklet by the late Donald Horne on Australian values (2002)
Humour
Related items on Democracy and Power
- Another Good Definition Of Politics February 16, 2016
- Eulogy For The Ages: Obama’s Soaring Rhetoric At Mandela’s Memorial Service December 10, 2013
- The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack October 26, 2013
- Tony Abbott Speech On Free Speech August 6, 2012
- So Much For Parliament In Queensland April 4, 2011
- Giving Substance To The Words November 4, 2010
- Tony Abbott: ‘We All Have To Live With Shit’ March 31, 2010
- Kevin Rudd’s Opening Address to the 2020 Summit April 19, 2008
- Terrorism, Policing & The Media: Controversial Keelty Speech January 29, 2008
- Whitlam-Fraser Call For Strengthening Of Ministerial Accountability November 12, 2007
- Tony Blair: “The Media Is A Feral Beast, Tearing People To Pieces” June 13, 2007
- Apathy And Anger: John Faulkner On Our Modern Democracy October 22, 2005
- American Democracy Is In Grave Danger: Al Gore October 6, 2005
- Brendan Nelson Speaks To John Laws September 28, 2005
- Mark Latham’s Public Lecture On Modern Politics September 27, 2005
- Australian Citizenship – Immigration Department Leaflet February 5, 2004
- Democracy And The Law Threatened By Howard Government: Burnside July 10, 2002
- Donald Horne: An Australian Compact? July 1, 2002
- Harry Evans: Time For Reformation Of The Australian Parliament April 24, 2002
- Public Liability Insurance: Why Politics Matters February 4, 2002
- Gareth Evans: Politics And The Media Circus February 20, 1998
- Humour: Organisation Chart For Heaven February 5, 1998
- Humour: International Organisational Charts February 5, 1998
- Robert Menzies: Politics As An Art November 28, 1948
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