Introduction

This course explores the nature of Australian democracy, and is designed to build on a developing understanding of the dynamics of the Australian political system and its institutions. The course approaches Australian politics from both a theoretical and comparative perspective, and opens by considering various theories of democracy, including liberal, pluralist, feminist and Marxist perspectives. It also examines the origins of democracy in Australia and its historical development, and seeks to establish whether and to what extent Australian democracy has its own distinctive character. How resilient is it and how has it coped with crises at both state and federal levels? The course will also look at comparisons between Australia’s democracy and its institutions and those in a number of other countries.

The course aims to provide the following:

1. Knowledge of the origin, evolution and development of democratic thought in Australia.
2. An exploration of contending interpretations of Australian democracy.
3. A capacity to critically evaluate social and political processes.
4. An awareness of the significance and centrality of popular sovereignty in a democracy
5. An ability to measure democratic processes against international criteria.

LECTURES

There are two lectures each week: Monday at 2 pm and Wednesday at 12 midday. All lectures will be in the Copland Building (Bldg 24) COP G030.

It is expected that summaries of each lecture will be available on the website each week. In most cases, lectures will also be taped.

TUTORIALS TBA

You attend one tutorial (at the same time and in the same place) each week. There is a maximum of 15 students per tutorial and the system will not allow any further enrolments if the limit has been reached. Tutorial attendance is compulsory.

You can register for a tutorial online through the Faculty of Arts Tutorial Sign Up System.

http://arts.anu.edu.au/tutorials/

This system also allows you to change tutorials in the first two weeks of the semester. After that time you must contact the course coordinator, Dr Norman Abjorensen, to enrol in or change tutorials. His e-mail is: norman.abjorensen@anu.edu.au

Tutorial arrangements will be discussed at the first lecture.

A reading brick is available

Provisional lecture program

There is no set textbook, but some useful background and reference reading:

If available in time (but unlikely): M. Sawer, N. Abjorensen & P. Larkin, Australia: The State of Democracy, Federation Press, 2009.

Brennan, Geoffrey and Francis Castles (eds.) (2003) Australia Reshaped: 200 years of institutional transformation, Cambridge

Hirst, John (2002) Australia’s Democracy: A Short History, Crows Nest

Maddox, Graham (2005) Australian Democracy in Theory and Practice (5th ed), Sydney

For students unfamiliar with Australian politics, a most useful background text is: Foundations of Australian Politics, (2006) Richard Eccleston, Paul Williams, Robyn Hollander (eds.); Frenchs Forest, NSW : Pearson Education Australia

Assessment:

Research essay (2500 words) 50%

Tutorial paper and presentation (1000-1200 words) 20%

Examination (or optional second paper) 30%

Inquires: norman.abjorensen@anu.edu.au