Sem 2 Commerce Key Terms Cue Cards (1) PDF

Representative democracy A political system based on citizens voting to elect representatives. Elections Processes whereby the people are able to choose their representatives and members of parliament. Candidates Members of political parties who are nominated to run for office in an election....

Representative democracy A political system based on citizens voting to elect representatives. Elections Processes whereby the people are able to choose their representatives and members of parliament. Candidates Members of political parties who are nominated to run for office in an election. Parliament An organisation (including the monarch's representative) that makes laws in a country, often with a lower house to draft laws and an upper house to review the proposed law. Liberal democracy A form of government in which sovereignty is vested in the citizens. Constitutional monarchy A political in which a monarch (ie: a king or a queen) is the head of state and a parliament makes laws under the terms of a constitution. Royal assent The formal signing and approval by the governor-general (at the Commonwealth level) or governor (at State level) for a bill to become law. Australian Constitution A document that describes the rules, or laws, that govern Australia; the Constitution defines the structure of government in Australia, and also the rights of citzens. House of Representatives The lower house of the national (federal) parliament. Senate The upper house of the national (federal) parliament) Electoral divisions Geographical areas containing specified number of people who can vote in an election. Political party A group of people with similar views and ideas about how a country, state or territory should be governed. Coalition Two or more political parties that join together in an attempt to win an election and form government. Absolute majority The requirement of a candidate (or a political party) to win over half the votes to be declared the winner of the electoral division (or form the government) Prime minister The leader of the political party that forms the government. Opposition The second largest political party or coalition of parties, after the government party in the lower house of parliament which works to scrutinize and oppose government policies. Independent A member of parliament who is not associated with a political party. Preferential system of voting A voting system that provides multiple counts of ballot papers to determine who has gained an absolute majority of total votes. Diversity A group or society consisting of a range of people who have different racial, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, lifestyles and life experiences. Discrimination Treating, or proposing to treat, a person or group of people unfavorably because of personal characteristics such as gender, age, race, disability, physical features or political beliefs. Rule Regulation or guideline imposed upon members of a specific group so they can work together in a peaceful manner. -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Law Formal rule designed to govern the way in which people behave so we can all live together in one peaceful and united society. Statute Law made by parliament (also called legislation or Acts of Parliament). Common Law Unwritten laws that are based on legal precedents made by the courts. Civil Case A legal dispute between individuals (or groups) over an alleged breach of individual rights. Criminal Case A legal dispute in which an individual who is accused of committing an illegal act that inflicts harm on another individual and/ or society. Is taken to court (prosecuted) by the government. Original Jurisdiction The power of a court to hear a case for the first time. Appellate Jurisdiction The power of a court to hear a case on appeal. Aggravating Factor Details about the offence and the offender that tend to increase their culpability and the sentence they receive. For example, planning the crime ahead of time (pre-meditation) or use of a weapon. Mitigating Factor Details about the offender and their offence that tend to reduce the severity of their sentence. For example, remorse or previous good character. Fairness The principle of having fair processes and a fair hearing. This means that the parties in a legal case should have an opportunity to know the facts of the case and can present their side of events, and the pre-hearing and hearing process should be fair and impartial. Equality The principle that people should be equal before the law and have equal opportunity to present their case as anyone else, without advantage or disadvantage. This doesn't mean all people are treated the same but to provide people who maybe in a disadvantage position with additional help or assistance to ensure they are treated equally. Access Access means that all people should be able to understand their legal rights and pursue their case. Burden of Proof The obligation (responsibility) of a party to prove a case, this usually rests with the party who initiates the action. Standard of Proof The degree or extent to which a case must be proved in court. Presumption of Innocence The right of a person accused of committing a crime to be presumed and reasonably treated as not guilty unless proven otherwise. Jury An independent group of people chosen at random to decide on evidence in a legal case and reach a decision (verdict). Magistrate The person who presides over proceedings in Lower Courts, particularly the Magistrates' Court. Judge The person who presides over proceedings in Higher Courts, particularly the County Court and Supreme Court.