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Political & Legal Studies TEE Revision 2010
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Format Section 1- Short Answer 3 out of 4 to be completed Section 2- Source Analysis 1 out of 2 to be completed Section 3- Essay 2 out of 4 to be completed
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Exam Tips Answer the QUESTION!! Use your time wisely Introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for marker Always include a conclusion in your essay responses. Use examples Plan and structure logical arguments Proofread your response Use Source in Section 2 Use assessments, Polipacs and Moodle for revision
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Law and Politics of the Constitution What is a Constitution? Why do we need a Constitution? What were the major factors contributing to Federation? What were the major hurdles to federation? What are the defining characteristics of the Australian Constitution? What were the major influences on the Australian constitution?
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Law and Politics of the Constitution In what ways do the two houses of parliament differ? What are the three constitutional powers of the Governor-General? Distinguish between exclusive, concurrent and residual powers.
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Law and Politics of the Constitution What are the two main jurisdictions of the High Court? What are the methods of constitutional change? Why do referendums often fail? What role does the High Court play? What are the Westminster conventions of responsible government?
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Law and Politics of the Constitution What are the impacts of the following Constitutional issues?: Changing balance between Federal & State Impact of High Court decisions Significance of 1975 crisis Republican alternative
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Law and Politics of the Constitution What are arguments for judicial ‘activism’? What are arguments for judicial ‘legalism’? What are three important features of financial relationship between the Commonwealth and state governments? What are sources of continuing state power?
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Law and Politics of the Constitution - Summary You must be familiar with: Influences/ path to Federation What constitution established Role of written and unwritten constitution since federation
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Participation and Change in the Political and Legal system
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Parliament What are the origins of legislative ideas? What are sources of cabinet power? Outline the role of the opposition. What is a private member’s bill? Outline the role backbenchers play?
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Parliament What are the sources of increased Senate influence? What is a parliamentary select committee? Is parliament the centre of legislative power? Outline the competing theories on mandates?
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Courts What is the difference between ‘ratio decidendi’ and ‘obiter dictum’? (pg 142) What are the four actions judges can take to change/ avoid a precedent?(pg142) Provide the advantages and disadvantages of precedent. (pg 145) What are three rules of statutory interpretation? (pg 148) What is meant by the term ‘ ejusdem generis’?
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Courts Outline arguments for judicial activism and legalism. (pg 151) Analyse the relationship/interaction between common and statutory law. (pg 153) Distinguish between original and appellate jurisdiction.
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Pressure groups What are the two types of pressure groups?(pg160) What are the characteristics/strategies of these groups? Which factors determine the success of pressure groups? What are the three different theories regarding pressure groups? (pg 174)
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Media Summarise the functions of the media in the political and legal system.(pg176) How does the media shape political information? (pg177) Outline the competing views on the role of the media.(pg181)
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Political Parties Outline the functions of political parties?(pg188) In terms of party ideology, provide one important reason why the Liberal party supported the goods and services tax(GST), and one important reason why Labor opposed it. The ALP is often described as a “ trade union “ party. Give one argument for and against this argument. What is meant by “left wing” in a political party context? What are some of the trends in voting patterns?
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Participation and change in the Political and Legal System Summary: Need to know role/structure/organisation of: Parliament Courts Pressure groups Political Parties
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Problems and Issues of the Political System Section 3
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Parliament What are the theoretical functions of parliament? Outline criticisms of these theoretical functions Define Collective Ministerial responsibility? Define Individual Ministerial responsibility?
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Parliament What is the ‘decline in parliament’ thesis? What was the Senate’s traditional role?(pg 237) How has it changed?(pg237) Why has it changed?(pg238)
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Parliament What are the two key functions of parliament that reforms are aimed at improving?(pg 242) Describe and evaluate the impact of a proposed parliamentary reform?
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Prime Minister and Cabinet What are three limitations to the Prime Minister’s power?(pg 261) What are sources Prime Ministerial power?( pg 257) What is Cabinet? What are the roles of the Cabinet?
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Prime Minster and Cabinet What is the Westminster role of public service? ( pg 276) What are criticisms of the Westminster model?(pg 277) How does the new model of public service differ?(pg 281) Are there criticisms of this new model? (Pg281)
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Electoral systems Outline the advantages and disadvantages of Australia’s voting systems. What outcomes occur due to these voting systems. What are the arguments for and against compulsory voting.
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Problems and Issues of the Legal system Section 4
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Problems and Issues of the Legal system Access to the law is equally available to all people. Discuss, using an example. The procedure for criminal trials in Australia is outdated and imperfect. How valid is this claim? The introduction of a “Bill of Rights” has become necessary to safeguard human rights in Australia. Assess the validity of this claim.
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Problems and Issues of the Legal system Suggest a reform for Australia’s trial system. What are some of the Alternative Dispute Resolutions being used/suggested in Australia?
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Exam Tips Answer the QUESTION!! Use your time wisely Introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for marker Always include a conclusion in your essay responses. Use examples Plan and structure logical arguments Proofread your response
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GOOD LUCK!!!!! Josh Popp
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