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Demonstrate substantive knowledge as to why Australians political institutions do not produce policies that reflect the will of the people
Apply theories of democracy to the character and function of Australian political institutions
Construct evidence-based arguments with respect to the factors that impact Australian political institutions that encourage democratic practices
Clearly and persuasively communicate concepts, problems and arguments concerning ways that Australia's political institutions could produce policies that reflect the will of the people.
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In this unit we address three key questions: Why do Australians doubt that their political system is democratic? Did Australians get democracy wrong in theory or do the problems result from the ways that Australian political institutions function? Do Australians need new ways of thinking about and doing democracy? The unit is presented in two parts. Part 1: Political institutions and Democratic Failure in the Australian Political System. This part considers some of the reasons Australians doubt that their political institutions emphasise and encourage democratic practices. The most important of these institutions concerns the ways that Australian parliaments work. This includes how political parties, the electoral system and media affect parliaments. Part 2. Addressing the Deficiencies: this part covers three ways that have emerged to address the challenges faced by political institutions. First, we consider the introduction of Deliberative Democracy. Deliberative Democracy begins with people being more directly involved in choosing policies. It uses referendums but requires that voters must be informed before they choose policies. The second involves the use of Social Media in developing and choosing policies. The third is to promote Citizen Journalism as a means to overcome the ways that the traditional media are taken to undermine democratic process