Political & Legal Political & Legal Studies TEE RevisionStudies TEE Revision

20102010

FormatFormat

Section 1- Short AnswerSection 1- Short Answer 3 out of 4 to be completed3 out of 4 to be completed

Section 2- Source AnalysisSection 2- Source Analysis 1 out of 2 to be completed1 out of 2 to be completed

Section 3- EssaySection 3- Essay 2 out of 4 to be completed2 out of 4 to be completed

Exam TipsExam Tips Answer the QUESTION!!Answer the QUESTION!! Use your time wiselyUse your time wisely Introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for markerIntroduction is crucial as it sets the tone for marker Always include a conclusion in your essay responses.Always include a conclusion in your essay responses. Use examplesUse examples Plan and structure logical argumentsPlan and structure logical arguments Proofread your responseProofread your response Use Source in Section 2Use Source in Section 2 Use assessments, Polipacs and Moodle for revisionUse assessments, Polipacs and Moodle for revision

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the ConstitutionConstitution

What is a Constitution?What is a Constitution? Why do we need a Constitution?Why do we need a Constitution? What were the major factors contributing to What were the major factors contributing to

Federation?Federation? What were the major hurdles to federation?What were the major hurdles to federation? What are the defining characteristics of the What are the defining characteristics of the

Australian Constitution?Australian Constitution? What were the major influences on the What were the major influences on the

Australian constitution?Australian constitution?

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the ConstitutionConstitution

In what ways do the two houses of In what ways do the two houses of parliament differ?parliament differ?

What are the three constitutional powers What are the three constitutional powers of the Governor-General?of the Governor-General?

Distinguish between exclusive, concurrent Distinguish between exclusive, concurrent and residual powers. and residual powers.

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the Constitution Constitution

What are the two main jurisdictions of the What are the two main jurisdictions of the High Court?High Court?

What are the methods of constitutional What are the methods of constitutional change?change?

Why do referendums often fail?Why do referendums often fail? What role does the High Court play?What role does the High Court play? What are the Westminster conventions of What are the Westminster conventions of

responsible government? responsible government?

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the ConstitutionConstitution

What are the impacts of the following What are the impacts of the following Constitutional issues?:Constitutional issues?:

Changing balance between Federal & StateChanging balance between Federal & State

Impact of High Court decisionsImpact of High Court decisions

Significance of 1975 crisisSignificance of 1975 crisis

Republican alternativeRepublican alternative

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the ConstitutionConstitution

What are arguments for judicial ‘activism’?What are arguments for judicial ‘activism’? What are arguments for judicial ‘legalism’?What are arguments for judicial ‘legalism’? What are three important features of What are three important features of

financial relationship between the financial relationship between the Commonwealth and state governments?Commonwealth and state governments?

What are sources of continuing state What are sources of continuing state power? power?

Law and Politics of the Law and Politics of the Constitution - SummaryConstitution - Summary

You must be familiar with:You must be familiar with:

Influences/ path to FederationInfluences/ path to Federation What constitution established What constitution established Role of written and unwritten constitution Role of written and unwritten constitution

since federationsince federation

Participation and Participation and Change in the Political Change in the Political

and Legal systemand Legal system

ParliamentParliament

What are the origins of legislative ideas? What are the origins of legislative ideas? What are sources of cabinet power?What are sources of cabinet power? Outline the role of the opposition.Outline the role of the opposition. What is a private member’s bill? What is a private member’s bill? Outline the role backbenchers play? Outline the role backbenchers play?

ParliamentParliament

What are the sources of increased Senate What are the sources of increased Senate influence? influence?

What is a parliamentary select committee?What is a parliamentary select committee? Is parliament the centre of legislative Is parliament the centre of legislative

power?power? Outline the competing theories on Outline the competing theories on

mandates?mandates?

CourtsCourts

What is the difference between ‘ratio decidendi’ What is the difference between ‘ratio decidendi’ and ‘obiter dictum’? (pg 142)and ‘obiter dictum’? (pg 142)

What are the four actions judges can take to What are the four actions judges can take to change/ avoid a precedent?(pg142)change/ avoid a precedent?(pg142)

Provide the advantages and disadvantages of Provide the advantages and disadvantages of precedent. (pg 145)precedent. (pg 145)

What are three rules of statutory interpretation? What are three rules of statutory interpretation? (pg 148)(pg 148)

What is meant by the term ‘ ejusdem generis’?What is meant by the term ‘ ejusdem generis’?

CourtsCourts

Outline arguments for judicial activism and Outline arguments for judicial activism and legalism. (pg 151)legalism. (pg 151)

Analyse the relationship/interaction Analyse the relationship/interaction between common and statutory law. (pg between common and statutory law. (pg 153)153)

Distinguish between original and appellate Distinguish between original and appellate jurisdiction. jurisdiction.

Pressure groupsPressure groups

What are the two types of pressure What are the two types of pressure groups?(pg160)groups?(pg160)

What are the characteristics/strategies of What are the characteristics/strategies of these groups?these groups?

Which factors determine the success of Which factors determine the success of pressure groups?pressure groups?

What are the three different theories What are the three different theories regarding pressure groups? (pg 174)regarding pressure groups? (pg 174)

MediaMedia

Summarise the functions of the media in Summarise the functions of the media in the political and legal system.(pg176)the political and legal system.(pg176)

How does the media shape political How does the media shape political information? (pg177)information? (pg177)

Outline the competing views on the role of Outline the competing views on the role of the media.(pg181)the media.(pg181)

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Outline the functions of political parties?(pg188)Outline the functions of political parties?(pg188) In terms of party ideology, provide one important In terms of party ideology, provide one important

reason why the Liberal party supported the reason why the Liberal party supported the goods and services tax(GST), and one important goods and services tax(GST), and one important reason why Labor opposed it.reason why Labor opposed it.

The ALP is often described as a “ trade union “ The ALP is often described as a “ trade union “ party. Give one argument for and against this party. Give one argument for and against this argument.argument.

What is meant by “left wing” in a political party What is meant by “left wing” in a political party context? context?

What are some of the trends in voting patterns?What are some of the trends in voting patterns?

Participation and change in Participation and change in the Political and Legal Systemthe Political and Legal System

Summary:Summary: Need to know role/structure/organisation of:Need to know role/structure/organisation of:

ParliamentParliament CourtsCourts Pressure groupsPressure groups Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Problems and Issues Problems and Issues of the Political Systemof the Political System

Section 3Section 3

ParliamentParliament

What are the theoretical functions of What are the theoretical functions of parliament?parliament?

Outline criticisms of these theoretical Outline criticisms of these theoretical functionsfunctions

Define Collective Ministerial responsibility?Define Collective Ministerial responsibility? Define Individual Ministerial responsibility?Define Individual Ministerial responsibility?

ParliamentParliament

What is the ‘decline in parliament’ thesis?What is the ‘decline in parliament’ thesis? What was the Senate’s traditional role?(pg What was the Senate’s traditional role?(pg

237)237) How has it changed?(pg237)How has it changed?(pg237) Why has it changed?(pg238)Why has it changed?(pg238)

ParliamentParliament

What are the two key functions of What are the two key functions of parliament that reforms are aimed at parliament that reforms are aimed at improving?(pg 242)improving?(pg 242)

Describe and evaluate the impact of a Describe and evaluate the impact of a proposed parliamentary reform? proposed parliamentary reform?

Prime Minister and CabinetPrime Minister and Cabinet

What are three limitations to the Prime What are three limitations to the Prime Minister’s power?(pg 261)Minister’s power?(pg 261)

What are sources Prime Ministerial What are sources Prime Ministerial power?( pg 257)power?( pg 257)

What is Cabinet?What is Cabinet? What are the roles of the Cabinet?What are the roles of the Cabinet?

Prime Minster and CabinetPrime Minster and Cabinet

What is the Westminster role of public service? What is the Westminster role of public service? ( pg 276)( pg 276)

What are criticisms of the Westminster model?What are criticisms of the Westminster model?(pg 277)(pg 277)

How does the new model of public service How does the new model of public service differ?(pg 281)differ?(pg 281)

Are there criticisms of this new model? (Pg281)Are there criticisms of this new model? (Pg281)

Electoral systemsElectoral systems

Outline the advantages and disadvantages Outline the advantages and disadvantages of Australia’s voting systems.of Australia’s voting systems.

What outcomes occur due to these voting What outcomes occur due to these voting systems.systems.

What are the arguments for and against What are the arguments for and against compulsory voting.compulsory voting.

Problems and Issues Problems and Issues of the Legal systemof the Legal system

Section 4Section 4

Problems and Issues of the Problems and Issues of the Legal systemLegal system

Access to the law is equally available to all Access to the law is equally available to all people. Discuss, using an example.people. Discuss, using an example.

The procedure for criminal trials in The procedure for criminal trials in Australia is outdated and imperfect. How Australia is outdated and imperfect. How valid is this claim?valid is this claim?

The introduction of a “Bill of Rights” has The introduction of a “Bill of Rights” has become necessary to safeguard human become necessary to safeguard human rights in Australia. Assess the validity of rights in Australia. Assess the validity of this claim. this claim.

Problems and Issues of the Problems and Issues of the Legal systemLegal system

Suggest a reform for Australia’s trial Suggest a reform for Australia’s trial system.system.

What are some of the Alternative Dispute What are some of the Alternative Dispute Resolutions being used/suggested in Resolutions being used/suggested in Australia?Australia?

Exam TipsExam Tips

Answer the QUESTION!!Answer the QUESTION!! Use your time wiselyUse your time wisely Introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for Introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for

markermarker Always include a conclusion in your essay Always include a conclusion in your essay

responses.responses. Use examplesUse examples Plan and structure logical argumentsPlan and structure logical arguments Proofread your responseProofread your response

GOOD LUCK!!!!!GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Josh PoppJosh Popp