Discussion Paper Policy Essay Assessment Answer

Understanding of the Australian liberal democratic system

A political framework that combines the values of liberal and democratic administration is the Australian liberal democratic system. This system is founded on the idea that whereas political power should be exerted through a representative democracy, individual liberties and rights should be upheld. Understanding the terms "liberal" and "democratic" in relation to this system is crucial.

Liberalism

In terms of political theory, liberalism is distinguished by its focus on individual rights, restrained government action, and the application of the law. It aims to protect individual liberties and establish a structure in which people can achieve their ambitions (Cameron, 2020). Liberal values translate into a dedication to upholding civil rights like the right to free speech, the right to practise one's religion, and the right to assemble. The division of powers, which prevents any one branch of government from becoming unduly powerful, embodies the idea of limited government. The authority of law also supports liberalism by guaranteeing that all citizens are treated equally and consistently under the law.

Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where the people hold the reins of political power. Direct involvement by citizens in decision-making processes is possible, as is participation through elected officials (Reilly, 2020). In the democratic system in place in Australia, people have the ability to exercise their right to vote by casting their votes in regularly scheduled elections for representatives at all levels of administration, from neighbourhood boards to the parliamentary parliament. The goal of this representational democracy is to guarantee that people have a voice in creating the laws and policies that influence their daily lives.

The Australian Liberal Democratic System

These two ideas are connected to the liberal democratic system of Australia, creating a complex and active political environment. It is distinguished by the following crucial characteristics:

 

Table 1: The Australian Liberal Democratic System

(Source: Created by the researcher)

The Australian liberal democratic framework combines liberalism and democracy's core tenets, working to safeguard individual rights, restrain governmental power, and guarantee political representation through periodic elections and democratic processes (Butler & Khavarpour et al., 2020). In spite of the system's unquestionable contributions to Australia's stability in government and general well-being, ongoing issues like indigenous rights, equality in society, and the delicate balancing act between freedom of speech and security highlight how difficult it is to uphold a liberal democratic framework that is truly effective.

The strengths and limitations of the Australian liberal democratic system for the well-being of its citizens

Through the defence of individual rights, political engagement, and the application of the law, the Australian liberal democratic system aims to improve the welfare of its residents. But like every political system, it has advantages and disadvantages that affect how the well-being of citizens is achieved. The strengths and the limitations are addressed below.

Strengths

Protection of Individual Rights

The dedication to preserving individual rights and liberties is one of the core virtues of the liberal democratic system in Australia. Citizens have the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and the capacity to voice their thoughts without concern for repression from the government thanks to the constitution and judicial system (Perry, 2019). By enabling citizens to pursue their life in accordance with their convictions, this safeguard supports psychological health and individual freedom.

Rule of Law

Any citizen, regardless of status, is required to abide by the same set of laws thanks to the rule of law. In doing so, fairness and equality are promoted and arbitrary power use is prevented. Because citizens have a way to contest government actions that violate their rights, the independence of the judiciary further solidifies the rule of law.

Democratic Participation

The electoral system in Australia encourages political representation and involvement. Voting for representatives who will represent their interests in government is an option for citizens. Citizens feel included and more engaged in the political process thanks to this participatory method, which gives them a say in decision-making.

Protection against Tyranny

Protections against potential abuses of power are provided by the separation of powers and the system's checks and balances (Perry, 2019). The security and well-being of citizens are boosted by this defence against authoritarianism and uncontrolled governmental power.

Stability and Peaceful Transitions

The liberal democratic system in Australia has helped to ensure political stability and a peaceful transfer of power. Regular elections and commitment to constitutional principles avoid rapid changes in power, which lowers the possibility of political unrest that could have a detrimental effect on the welfare of individuals.

Limitations

Social Equity

Despite the system's egalitarian ideals, socioeconomic inequality still exists in Australia, especially with regard to indigenous peoples (Neoh, 2021). The ability of the liberal democratic system to promote equal well-being for all citizens is put to the test by historical injustices and ongoing inequality in sectors like education, health, and employment.

Political Polarization

Australia's multiparty system has the potential to produce political polarisation, in which conflicting ideologies split the population. Political deadlock may prohibit prompt answers to urgent problems as a result of this polarisation, which can impede good government and compromise.

Limited Direct Participation

Despite the fact that everyone is allowed to vote, only a small number of people have a significant impact on how policies are made because of the representative character of the system (Neoh, 2021). There is a chance that some voters will feel cut off from the choices made by their elected officials, which could result in feelings of disenfranchisement and diminished well-being.

Media Influence and Misinformation

The media's ability to shape public opinion has both positive and negative effects. While the media is vital in holding those in positions of authority accountable, the propagation of false information and biased reporting can skew public perception, harming citizens' well-being by depriving them of accurate information.

Economic Factors

The system encourages individual freedoms, yet economic circumstances can have a big impact on how well-off persons are. The liberal economic model may cause income disparity and make it difficult for people to access basic services, which may lower people's quality of life.

Challenges during Crises

In times of crisis, the delicate balance between security and civil liberties becomes of paramount importance. The government's response to situations like terrorism threats or public health emergencies may result in temporary rights limitations (Lansbury, 2021). It is a complex issue for the system to strike a balance between the need of protecting public safety and citizen well-being.

Protecting individual rights, encouraging political involvement, and supporting the rule of law are just a few of the advantages the Australian liberal democratic framework provides that benefit its populace. It also has drawbacks in terms of social justice, political polarisation, low levels of direct engagement, media influence, economic issues, and difficulties during times of crisis. In order to overcome these obstacles, continuing efforts must be made to maintain the system's efficiency in promoting citizen well-being while adjusting to shifting societal demands and difficulties.

Reference list:

Butler, C., Rissel, C., & Khavarpour, F. (1999). The context for community participation in health action in Australia. Australian journal of social issues, 34(3), 253-265. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.1999.tb01080.x

Cameron, S. (2020). Government performance and dissatisfaction with democracy in Australia. Australian Journal of Political Science, 55(2), 170-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/10361146.2020.1755221

Davis, R. (2021). Australian Indigenous environment policy as a deliberative system. Australian Journal of Political Science, 56(4), 376-392. https://doi.org/10.1080/10361146.2021.1998342

Lansbury, R. D. (2021). Workplace reform: a new social contract for Australia. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 59(4), 541-553. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12287

Neoh, J. Y. (2021). Citizenship and democratic education in the time of rising nationalism: Implications for citizenship education from the cases of Australia and Singapore. Citizenship Teaching & Learning, 16(3), 361-379. https://doi.org/10.1386/ctl_00071_1

Perry, L. B. (2019). Conceptualizing education policy in democratic societies. Educational Policy, 23(3), 423-450. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904807310032

Reilly, B. (2020). The return of values in Australian foreign policy. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 74(2), 116-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2019.1693503

Tenove, C. (2020). Protecting democracy from disinformation: Normative threats and policy responses. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 25(3), 517-537. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161220918740

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