What is the Magna Carta?
Magna Carta (the Great Charter) is an important historical document that has shaped the human rights and freedoms of all Australians.
In particular, Magna Carta helped promote ideas of freedom, justice and the rule of law, principles which have become key parts of Australian democracy.
What is a government?
Different countries have different types of governments.
More than half the world's governments are democratic.
Different Types of Democracy
Direct democracy
In a direct democracy, such as ancient Athens, all citizens (only adult males who had completed their military training; women, slaves and plebs were not citizens) are invited to participate in all political decisions. This form of democracy is no longer practiced. In this form of democracy citizens are continuously involved in the exercise of power and decision is by majority rule.
Representative democracy
In a representative democracy, representatives are elected by the people and entrusted to carry out the business of governance. Australia is a representative democracy.
Constitutional democracy
In a constitutional democracy a constitution outlines who will represent the people and how. Australia is also a constitutional democracy.
Monitory democracy
Political scientist John Keane suggests that a new form of democracy is evolving in which government is constantly monitored in its exercise of power by a vast array of public and private agencies, commissions and regulatory mechanisms.
What does 'democracy' mean?
The word ‘democracy’ has its origins in the Greek language. It combines two shorter words:
What are the principles of democracy?
It is generally agreed that liberal democracies are based on four main principles:
What are the core values of Australian democracy?
What are the principles of Australian democracy?