The Australian Citizens’ Parliament and the Future of Deliberative Democracy

The Australian Citizens’ Parliament and the Future of Deliberative Democracy PDF

Author: Lyn Carson

Publisher: Penn State Press

Published: 2015-06-29

Total Pages: 492

ISBN-13: 0271069074

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Growing numbers of scholars, practitioners, politicians, and citizens recognize the value of deliberative civic engagement processes that enable citizens and governments to come together in public spaces and engage in constructive dialogue, informed discussion, and decisive deliberation. This book seeks to fill a gap in empirical studies in deliberative democracy by studying the assembly of the Australian Citizens’ Parliament (ACP), which took place in Canberra on February 6–8, 2009. The ACP addressed the question “How can the Australian political system be strengthened to serve us better?” The ACP’s Canberra assembly is the first large-scale, face-to-face deliberative project to be completely audio-recorded and transcribed, enabling an unprecedented level of qualitative and quantitative assessment of participants’ actual spoken discourse. Each chapter reports on different research questions for different purposes to benefit different audiences. Combined, they exhibit how diverse modes of research focused on a single event can enhance both theoretical and practical knowledge about deliberative democracy.

Platypus and Parliament

Platypus and Parliament PDF

Author: Stanley Bach

Publisher: Department of Senate Parliament House

Published: 2003-01-01

Total Pages: 389

ISBN-13: 9780642712912

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A systematic examination of how the Senate actually operates covering topics which include the design and operation of Australia's system of government, an analysis of the confrontation betwen the Senate and the house of Representatives in 1975, proposals for reform, the republican debate, minority parties and the balance of power.

Parliamentary Government in Australia

Parliamentary Government in Australia PDF

Author: Alan J. Ward

Publisher: Anthem Press

Published: 2014-02-15

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 178308121X

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Alan J. Ward combines constitutional history and political science to compare all nine of Australia’s political systems, federal, state and territorial, from colonial times to the present. Guided by a model of parliamentary government drawn from comparative politics, he considers the following key topics: the selection of the government, the prime minister and cabinet; government control of the lower house; the primacy of the lower house in bicameral systems; the head of state; the influence of Australian federalism on parliamentary government; and the growth of executive democracy in Australia. Ultimately, Ward argues that as only one of Australia’s nine constitutions accurately describes parliamentary government as practiced in the country, it is a democratic imperative that the other eight be rewritten.

A Short History of Parliament

A Short History of Parliament PDF

Author: Clyve Jones

Publisher: Boydell Press

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 184383717X

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This institutional history charts the development and evolution of parliament from the Scottish and Irish parliaments, through the post-Act of Union parliament and into the devolved assemblies of the 1990s. It considers all aspects of parliament as an institution, including membership, parties, constituencies and elections.

Deliberative Democracy in Australia

Deliberative Democracy in Australia PDF

Author: John Uhr

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1998-04-13

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9780521624657

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Parliament is central to the democratic claims of our system of governance. This book evaluates the role and performance of this centrepiece of Australian government. It explores the institutional design of the parliament, and its principles and practices, presenting a compelling case for reform. Uhr discusses parliament's representative and legislative roles, and the issue of accountability. He looks at the place of representative assemblies in liberal political theory and assesses current institutional performance. He argues that republicanism can be seen as a form of deliberative democracy, examining ways in which such democracy might be made more effective and meaningful in Australia. Combining an authoritative knowledge of political theory with a familiarity with the inner-workings of the Australian parliament, the author makes an important contribution to debates in Australia and internationally.