Political Vocab & Terms
The legal and popular acceptance of a government authority to rule.
Legitimacy
The independent, non-partisan referee that manages federal elections in Australia.
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
Average voter turnout percentage in Australia due to compulsory voting.
Roughly 90 percent
The right allowing citizens to gather publicly and challenge government policy.
Peaceful Protest/Assembly
Which country's voting system better ensures that the elected government represents the true majority of its citizens?
Australia (compulsory voting brings ~90% turnout versus ~60% in the US)
The division of government authority across Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to prevent autocracy.
Separation of Powers
The level of government responsible for running elections and drawing boundaries in the USA.
Individual State Governments
Average voter turnout percentage in American federal elections under voluntary voting.
Roughly 60 percent
Australia's public broadcasting service that provides independent government scrutiny.
ABC
Is gerrymandering more likely to harm democratic equality in Australia or the USA, and why?
The USA, because politicians draw boundaries instead of an independent body like the AEC
The nickname for news media acting as a watchdog to catch government mistakes and enforce accountability.
The Fourth Estate
Main advantage of having an independent referee like the AEC run elections.
Prevents political bias and gerrymanderin
One potential drawback or random voting result of Australia's compulsory voting system.
Donkey votes or informal votes
Attacking journalists and discrediting facts are common features of this nondemocratic regime.
Autocracy
How does an independent media (The Fourth Estate) protect democracy from turning into an autocracy?
By acting as a watchdog, holding leaders accountable, and exposing corruption or mistakes
Redrawing electoral boundaries to provide an unfair advantage to a political party.
Gerrymandering
Actions like cutting polling places or shortening voting hours to make voting harder.
Voter Suppression
How compulsory voting gives an elected government strong democratic legitimacy.
Guarantees high turnout and a clear vote from the majority
The balance governments must maintain during public political protests.
Individual rights vs public order and security
Why might high media concentration in a country weaken its citizens' ability to make informed democratic choices?
It creates political bias and echo chambers, limiting the diversity of public news and facts
Openness and honesty in government operations and decision-making.
Transparency
The branch of government responsible for interpreting and judging laws.
Judiciary (The Courts)
The term for losing or revoking the right to vote.
Disenfranchisement
The democratic threat caused when a few big corporations control all news outlets.
High media concentration
When citizens engage in peaceful protest, what two competing responsibilities must a democratic government balance?
Protecting citizens' right to freedom of expression versus maintaining public order and safety.