Constitutional Reform As A Remedy For Political Disenchantment In Australia

Author : Bede Harris
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 267 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2020-04-22
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9789811535994

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Constitutional Reform as a Remedy for Political Disenchantment in Australia by Bede Harris Pdf

The central argument of this book explores the disillusionment that Australians feel with regard to the way politics is conducted. The book explores causes of that disillusionment, and argues that because these are ultimately traceable to defects in the constitution, it is only through constitutional reform that government can be improved. This book argues that the current approach to constitutional debate suffers from the flaw of being anti-theoretical, in the sense that it is not grounded in any set of values, and is afflicted by a tendency to consider practical objections to reform before considering the moral case for it. This book argues that instead of accepting the constitution as it is, it is time we began to discuss how it ought to be, taking human dignity as the fundamental value upon which a constitution should be based. It then puts the case for change in a number of areas, including reform of the electoral system, enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of the executive, the inclusion in the constitution of a full bill of rights, the abolition of the federal system, realisation of the rights of Indigenous people, codification of constitutional conventions either in conjunction with or separately from an Australian republic, reform of the rules of standing in constitutional matters and, finally, the need to improve civics education. This book is designed to be provocative in the way that it directly challenges current academic orthodoxy. This book also outlines a proposed draft new constitution. This book will be of interest to anyone who is concerned about how Australia is governed and why it has been so difficult to achieve constitutional reform.

Author : Donald Horne
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 44 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 1981-01-01
Category : Australia
ISBN : 0909266190

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Changing the System by Donald Horne Pdf

Author : Bede Harris
Publisher : Vivid Publishing
Page : 106 pages
File Size : 49,5 Mb
Release : 2014-07-08
Category : Australians
ISBN : 1925171736

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Exploring the Frozen Continent - What Australians Think of Constitutional Reform by Bede Harris Pdf

It is usually thought that, at best, the Australian public has little interest in constitutional reform or, at worst, is profoundly suspicious of it. A key reason for voter reluctance to countenance reform is the poor state of civics education in Australia, which has the consequence that voters are, understandably, fearful of changing what they do not understand. Previous opinion polls that have been conducted on constitutional reform have been of limited value in that they have focused on single issues and have not provided respondents with sufficient background information to enable them properly to evaluate what they are being asked. This book analyses the results of a representative survey of Australian voters in which respondents were given detailed background information explaining various constitutional reforms. The survey also differs from others in that it sought respondents' views on a wide range of reforms - relating to the electoral system, a Bill of Rights, the accountability of government to Parliament, federalism and an Australian republic. Its results indicate that, when fully informed, more voters are likely to support constitutional reform than has previously been thought. The book also discusses how best such reforms for which there is widespread support can be achieved. Bede Harris was born in Zimbabwe. After graduating with a BA(Mod) from Trinity College, University of Dublin, he obtained an LLB cum laude from Rhodes University, Grahamstown. He began his academic career at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. He subsequently taught at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, where he obtained his DPhil. He is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Charles Sturt University, and lives in Albury-Wodonga with his wife and daughter.

Author : Bede Harris
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 313 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2023-12-01
Category : Law
ISBN : 9789819971213

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Indigenous Peoples and Constitutional Reform in Australia by Bede Harris Pdf

​This book examines whether Australia’s constitution should be reformed so as to enable the country to fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which it ratified in 2009. The book surveys the history of the constitutional status of Australia’s Indigenous peoples from the time of colonisation through to the current debate on ‘Indigenous constitutional recognition’. However, it argues that the term ‘Indigenous constitutional recognition', implying that mere acknowledgement of the existence of Indigenous peoples is sufficient to meet their legitimate expectations, misrepresents the nature of the project the country needs to engage in. The book argues that Australia should instead embark upon a reform programme directed towards substantive, and not merely symbolic, constitutional change. It argues that only by the inclusion in the constitution of enforceable constitutional rights can the power imbalance between Indigenous Australians and the rest of society be addressed. Taking a comparative approach and drawing upon the experience of other jurisdictions, the book proposes a comprehensive constitutional reform programme, and includes the text of constitutional amendments designed to achieve the realisation of the rights of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. It ends with a call to improve the standard of civics education so as to overcome voter apprehension towards constitutional change.

Author : Bede Harris
Publisher : Routledge Cavendish
Page : 313 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 2002
Category : Law
ISBN : 9781876905064

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A New Constitution for Australia by Bede Harris Pdf

According to some politicians and much of the mainstream media, immigrant populations only contribute crime to their communities. Seen as unmotivated and unemployed, these immigrants are thought to be a threat to society's moral fiber, and a burden to its justice system. Ramiro Martinez tells a very different story in Latino Homicide. Studying five major cities--Chicago, El Paso, Houston, Miami, and San Diego--Martinez reveals Latino homicide rates to be markedly lower than one would expect, given the economic deprivation of these urban areas. Far from dangerous or criminal, these communities often have exceptionally strong social networks precisely because of their shared immigrant experiences. With fascinating case studies drawn from police reports and actual cases, Latino Homicide refutes negative stereotypes in a coherent and critically rigorous analysis of the issues.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : National Library Australia
Page : 1220 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2024-07-01
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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APAIS 1999: Australian public affairs information service by Anonim Pdf

Author : John Uhr
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 224 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 1999
Category : Political Science
ISBN : IND:30000068192792

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The Australian Republic by John Uhr Pdf

The political issue of the second half of 1999 in Australia will be the republic referendum. This book sets out all the reasons why Australians should vote for a president and against the monarchy. It covers all shades of republican views - the Australian Republican Movement as well as direct election views.

Author : Sir William Wade
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 83 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 1980
Category : Constitutional law
ISBN : 0420459103

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Constitutional Fundamentals by Sir William Wade Pdf

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 1224 pages
File Size : 49,7 Mb
Release : 1999
Category : Australia
ISBN : UOM:39015079938471

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APAIS, Australian Public Affairs Information Service by Anonim Pdf

Vol. for 1963 includes section Current Australian serials; a subject list.

Author : Ian Marsh,Raymond Miller
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 395 pages
File Size : 47,8 Mb
Release : 2012-07-26
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781107025684

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Democratic Decline and Democratic Renewal by Ian Marsh,Raymond Miller Pdf

Examines why people feel disconnected from contemporary politics and suggests what might be done to address current political discontent.

Author : Dominic O’Sullivan
Publisher : ANU Press
Page : 270 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2020-09-21
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781760463953

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‘We Are All Here to Stay’ by Dominic O’Sullivan Pdf

In 2007, 144 UN member states voted to adopt a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US were the only members to vote against it. Each eventually changed its position. This book explains why and examines what the Declaration could mean for sovereignty, citizenship and democracy in liberal societies such as these. It takes Canadian Chief Justice Lamer’s remark that ‘we are all here to stay’ to mean that indigenous peoples are ‘here to stay’ as indigenous. The book examines indigenous and state critiques of the Declaration but argues that, ultimately, it is an instrument of significant transformative potential showing how state sovereignty need not be a power that is exercised over and above indigenous peoples. Nor is it reasonably a power that displaces indigenous nations’ authority over their own affairs. The Declaration shows how and why, and this book argues that in doing so, it supports more inclusive ways of thinking about how citizenship and democracy may work better. The book draws on the Declaration to imagine what non-colonial political relationships could look like in liberal societies.

Author : David Altman
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 283 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2019
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781108496636

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Citizenship and Contemporary Direct Democracy by David Altman Pdf

Offers a comparative study of the origins, performance, and reform of contemporary mechanisms of direct democracy.

Author : Katherine M. Gehl,Michael E. Porter
Publisher : Harvard Business Press
Page : 316 pages
File Size : 50,6 Mb
Release : 2020-06-23
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9781633699243

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The Politics Industry by Katherine M. Gehl,Michael E. Porter Pdf

Leading political innovation activist Katherine Gehl and world-renowned business strategist Michael Porter bring fresh perspective, deep scholarship, and a real and actionable solution, Final Five Voting, to the grand challenge of our broken political and democratic system. Final Five Voting has already been adopted in Alaska and is being advanced in states across the country. The truth is, the American political system is working exactly how it is designed to work, and it isn't designed or optimized today to work for us—for ordinary citizens. Most people believe that our political system is a public institution with high-minded principles and impartial rules derived from the Constitution. In reality, it has become a private industry dominated by a textbook duopoly—the Democrats and the Republicans—and plagued and perverted by unhealthy competition between the players. Tragically, it has therefore become incapable of delivering solutions to America's key economic and social challenges. In fact, there's virtually no connection between our political leaders solving problems and getting reelected. In The Politics Industry, business leader and path-breaking political innovator Katherine Gehl and world-renowned business strategist Michael Porter take a radical new approach. They ingeniously apply the tools of business analysis—and Porter's distinctive Five Forces framework—to show how the political system functions just as every other competitive industry does, and how the duopoly has led to the devastating outcomes we see today. Using this competition lens, Gehl and Porter identify the most powerful lever for change—a strategy comprised of a clear set of choices in two key areas: how our elections work and how we make our laws. Their bracing assessment and practical recommendations cut through the endless debate about various proposed fixes, such as term limits and campaign finance reform. The result: true political innovation. The Politics Industry is an original and completely nonpartisan guide that will open your eyes to the true dynamics and profound challenges of the American political system and provide real solutions for reshaping the system for the benefit of all. THE INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL INNOVATION The authors will donate all royalties from the sale of this book to the Institute for Political Innovation.

Author : Haig Patapan
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 230 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2000-08-31
Category : Law
ISBN : 0521774284

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Judging Democracy by Haig Patapan Pdf

The High Court is taking an increasingly important role in shaping the contours of democracy in Australia. In deciding fundamental democratic questions, does the Court pursue a consistent and overarching democratic vision? Or are its decisions essentially constrained by institutional and practical limitations? Judging Democracy, first published in 2000, addresses this question by examining the Court's recent decisions on human rights, citizenship, native title and separation of powers. It represents the first major political and legal examination of the Court's new jurisprudence and the way it is influencing democracy and the institutions of governance in Australia. A foreword to the book has been written by the former Chief Justice of the High Court, Sir Anthony Mason.

Author : Austin Sarat
Publisher : Emerald Group Publishing
Page : 277 pages
File Size : 52,8 Mb
Release : 2012-01-31
Category : Law
ISBN : 9781780526232

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Studies in Law, Politics, and Society by Austin Sarat Pdf

Contains an international and interdisciplinary array of legal scholarship. This work illuminates the law's response to its social context as well as the way law shapes that context. It shows how legal scholars contribute to public debate about contemporary issues as well as how they articulate the nature of rights and the limits of law.