101973: Australian Politics Essay Questions: Choose ONE of the topics below.
ESSAY LENGTH: 1000 words.
- The High Court has sometimes been criticised for being too ‘political’. Do you agree or disagree? Give your reasons, using at least one High Court decision.
- What does the story of women in Australian politics tell us about Australian democracy? Discuss in relation to either a historical example, such as woman suffrage, or women in Australian politics today.
- Does our liberal democratic system help or hinder indigenous Australians? Consider in the light of at least one current policy involving Aboriginal people, such as the Northern Territory Intervention, representation in the Constitution, or the fact that no treaty exists between Aboriginal people and the Australian government.
- Has the media been largely good or largely bad for Australian democracy? Consider such things as access to information, bias, the 24-hour news cycle or media ownership. If you like you can focus on one branch of the media, such as social media, and discuss how it works in the political environment.
- Do you think Australian democracy is unique? Explain your answer, using at least one historical example.
- Does the Liberal Party have the right name? Discuss in relation to the key principles of liberalism, looking either at the historical development of the Liberal Party, or the Liberal Party today.
- When it comes to party politics, political commentators are increasingly saying ‘the party’s over’. Is our current two-party system in crisis or transition? Discuss, giving reasons for your view.
- Compare Menzies’ ‘The Forgotten People’ speech with Chifley’s ‘The Light on the Hill’ speech. What do they tell you about the political strategies of each leader? Consider such things as use of language, target audience and the time in Australia’s political history that the speeches were given. Include any key differences or similarities between the speeches.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE A MINIMUM OF TWO SCHOLARLY SOURCES FOR THIS ESSAY.
If you are unclear about the difference between scholarly and non-scholarly sources, there are some guidelines below.
Scholarly and non-scholarly sources
Scholarly sources are generally ‘peer-reviewed’ publications: material written by experts that uses high standards of research and analysis, and has been approved by other experts in the field before publication. Use of references and bibliography often (but not always) indicates a scholarly publication.
Having found your minimum two scholarly sources, whether you then need more sources depends a bit on the topic you have chosen. If you have chosen to focus on some very current issues, you may find useful information in media sources such as the following that are available through the Library’s eResources: EduTV, which has many ABC current affairs programs, newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald or current affairs publications such as The Monthly. These are good and useful sources of current information but note that they are not scholarly sources, so you cannot base your essay entirely on them. Be careful when choosing news publications. So-called ‘tabloid’ newspapers, such as The Daily Telegraph, do not contain journalism of a very high standard.
Mixing your scholarly and non-scholarly sources
Your non-scholarly sources, if you use them, provide up-to-the-minute illustration of the larger question you are answering. For example, if you are discussing the media, you are highly likely to need some media sources for this, which is fine. However, you must put your discussion of this issue into the context of the scholarly literature, and this is where you use either the scholarly sources provided, or ones you find through your own research.
Finally, here’s a mantra that might be useful: ‘If you doubt it, ASK about it!’ I am always available for advice on sources.
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