Political Parties & Pressure Groups

Short Answer Questions

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1. What is meant by the term party discipline? (2m)

2. Briefly describe three tactics that a pressure group can use to further its aims. (3m)

3. Evaluate the argument that strong leadership is essential for political parties. (5m)

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1. What is meant by the term pre-selection? (2m)

2. Briefly describe three differences between political parties and pressure groups. (3m)

3. Evaluate the argument that pressure groups cannot be successful unless the government supports their views. (5m)

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1. Give two reasons why factions form within Australian political parties. (2m)

2. Briefly outline three ways in which the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party (LP) differ in organisation and/or operation. (3m)

3. Discuss one argument for, and one argument against, pressure groups developing close links with major parties. (5m)

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1. Name one electoral role and one parliamentary role performed by minor parties.

2. Identify three methods or tactics used by minor parties to achieve their aims.

3. Evaluate the argument that unity is essential to the success of political parties.

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1. Name two pressure groups which have tried to influence economic policy in the 1990s.

2. Identify three social and/or environmental issues which have been the subject of pressure group action in the 1990s.

3. Discuss one argument for and one argument against governments consulting with key economic pressure groups to develop policy.

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1. What is meant by the term "pre-selection"?

2. Outline two roles performed by political parties in the Australian political system.

3. Evaluate the claim that there are no important differences in current policy between the Liberal and Labor parties.

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1. What is a major difference between pressure groups and political parties?

2. Outline two separate examples of pressure groups successfully influencing government policy or legislation during the 1990s.

3. Discuss one argument in favour of, and one argument against, lobbying as a pressure group tactic.

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1. What is meant by the term 'party discipline'?

2. Describe two ways in which party discipline may be exercised in Australian political parties.

3. Discuss two cases in which party discipline has restricted elected members of parliament from representing their electorates.

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1. What is meant by the term 'pressure group'?

2. Outline an example of a tactic used by an economic pressure group and one used by a non-economic pressure group in the 1990s.

3. Discuss, using recent examples, the importance of the media to the success of pressure groups.

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1. What is meant by "Labor Platform"?

2. Name two policies implemented by the Hawke government which appear to be inconsistent with ALP ideology.

3. Discuss two ways in which the ALP and the Liberal Party ideologies are fundamentally different.

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1. Define the term "pluralism".

2. State two major roles of pressure groups.

3. Discuss one argument for and one argument against pressure groups engaging in public demonstrations to achieve their goals.

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1. What is the role of the ALP National Conference?

2. State one way in which the ALP National Conference's relationship with federal ALP governments has changed since 1983.

3. Explain two ways in which the Liberal Party and the Labor Party extra-parliamentary organisations differ.

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1. What is the "New Right"?

2. State two tactics used by employer groups in their attempts to influence government policy.

3. Discuss one argument in favour of and one argument against the involvement of pressure groups in the government's formal decision-making process.

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1. What is meant by "party philosophy"?

2. State two key principles of Liberal Party philosophy.

3. Explain two important policy differences between the Labor and Liberal parties.

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1. Define the term "lobbyist".

2. Give two examples of groups that have pressured either the federal or state governments over single issues.

3. Discuss one argument for and one argument against the operation of single issue groups in a representative democracy.

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1. Define the term "coalition".

2. Name two issues which have caused conflict between the Liberal and National Parties.

3. Explain one different benefit of the federal coalition for each of the members.

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1. What is meant by the term "promotional association"?

2. Give two recent examples of sectional associations campaigning in Federal elections.

3. Explain two ways (other than by electioneering) by which sectional associations seek to influence government policy.

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1. What is meant by the term "party discipline"?

2. State two methods that can be used by a party's leaders to control their parliamentary members.

3. Discuss one argument for and one against party discipline.

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1. Define the term "pluralism" in relation to pressure groups.

2. What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

3. Discuss two reasons for the success of a campaign by any one pressure group which influenced government policy.

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1. Define "caucus".

2. Outline three important elements of Liberal Party philosophy.

3. Evaluate two significant differences between Coalition and Labor government policies in recent years.

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1. What is meant by party discipline?

2. Explain three wyas in which discipline is exercised in the ALP of the Liberal Party, either in relation to party members or members of parliament.

3. Evaluate the argument that party leadership is the most important element in the success of a political party.

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1. Define minor party.

2. Outline 3 functions of political parties in the Australian political system.

3. Analyse the argument that the policies of the Howard Government are not in accord with Liberal Party philosophy.

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1. What is the ALP National Conference?

2. Explain 3 differences between the structure and functions of the Liberal and Labor parties.

3. Discuss two important policy differences between the Labor and Liberal parties.

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1. What is meant by the extra-parliamentary wing of a political party?

2. Outline 3 roles of the extra-parliamentary wing of the ALP.

3. Evaluate the argument that current ALP policies are not in accord with ALP philosophy.

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1. What is the National Executive if the Australian Labor Party, and what is its role?

2. Name 3 factions of the ALP and name one representative of each.

3. Discuss one argument for, and one argument against, the ALP's National Conference decisions being binding on all sections of the party, including members of parliament.

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1. What is the role of the Liberal Party's Federal Council?

2. State one similarity and one difference between the structure of the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party.

3. Discuss the extent to which the extra-parliamentary wings of the ALP and Liberal Party assist or hinder the parliamentary wings.

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1. What is meant by the term globalisation?

2. Explain three specific initiatives implemented by Federal governments since 1983 to globalise the Australian economy.

3. Discuss one argument for, and one argument against, the further privatisation of Telstra.

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1. Explain one central element of the philosophy of the Australian Democrats.

2. Outline 3 ways in which the Australian Democrats have influenced the political process in the past 20 years.

3. Discuss the proposition that the Australian Democrats have made a positive contribution to Australian democracy in recent times.

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1. What is lobbying?

2. What are 3 differences between pressure groups and political parties?

3. Evaluate the importance of the media to the success of pressure groups.

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1. How would you describe the Australian party system?

2. In relation to pressure groups, give the full names of 3 peak organisations in Australia.

3. Evaluate the argument that pressure groups make a positive contribution to Australian democracy.

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1. What is a professional lobbyist?

2. Explain three factors that contribute to the success of pressure groups.

3. Evaluate the argument that economic pressure groups have too much power in the Australian political system.

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1. What is meant by direct action by pressure groups?

2. What is the difference between altruistic and sectional pressure groups? Give a specific example of each.

3. To what extent is it important for pressure groups to have media coverage and access to the media when pursuing their political goals? Give examples in your response.

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1. Define what is meant by a promotional pressure group. Give an example.

2. Name 3 specific sectional pressure groups in Australia.

3. Evaluate the argument that media coverage is crucial to the success of pressure groups in Australia.

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1. What is meant by direct action in relation to pressure group activity? Give an example.

2. Explain 3 specific points of contact pressure groups can use in pursuit of their aims.

3. Evaluate the proposition that direct action by pressure groups is a threat to Australian democracy.

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1. The Australian Democrats claim to be a more democratic party than the other parties in Australia. Give two examples of how the Democrats achieve this democracy.

2. Explain 3 ways the Australian Democrats have exerted an important influence in Australian politics since 1977.

3. Discuss the factors which influence the success or failure of minor political parties.

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1. What is branch stacking?

2. Outline 3 policies put forward by the Liberal Party in recent years.

3. Evaluate the argument that there is little to distinguish the policies of the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party at the Federal level.

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1. Define "pre-selection".

2. Explain three methods adopted by the Australian Democrats to exercise political power.

3. Evaluate one argument in favour of the use of strike action by trade unions.

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1. What is a professional lobbyist?

2. Explain three ways in which pressure groups enhance the workings of Australian democracy.

3. Evaluate the political influence of economic pressure groups in Australian.

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1. What is meant by economic pressure group? Give an example.

2. Explain one recent example where a pressure group has successfully influenced government policy or legislation.

3. Evaluate the claim that the major political parties are beholden to the interests of powerful pressure groups.

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