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Civics and Citizenship - Coggle Diagram
Civics and Citizenship
6 Key Concept
DEMOCRACY
Democracy is a system of government run by the people, for the people. In most democratic societies, citizens are involved in the running of society by electing people who will represent them in government. Representatives of the people then develop polices and make laws on behalf of the people who have elected them.
DEMOCRATIC VALUES
Democratic values are the beliefs and ideals that are held by our society as a democracy. Such values include respect, equality, fairness and freedom. It is important to understand the democratic values and there purposes. For example, in Australia freedom is an important democratic value. In Australia we are free to say and do many things such as practices a religion.
THE WESTIMINISTER SYSTEM
Australia's system of government is based on the Westminster system which originates in the United Kingdom. The Westminster system includes:
- Lower house
- Head of state
- Head of government
- Cabinet
- Independent judiciary
- independent civil service
JUSTICE
The concept of justice in Australia means that people should treat each other in a manner that is fair and balanced. In Australia, when people break the law and are convicted by the courts it is said that they have been 'brought to justice'.
The Australian legal system encourages the delivery of justice to all citizens, whether they be guilty or innocent.
PARTICIPATION
Participation refers to the way good citizens contribute to or take part in society. In Australia, we participate in the running of society in a number of ways, such as by voting in an election or referendum, serving on a jury or paying taxes. These things help our government to deliver services to our community, which we in turn will benefit from.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The concept of rights and responsibilities refers to our entitlements and duties as citizens. Our rights ensure we are able to have a say in the way our country is run and are treated fairly in the process. Our responsibilities ensure we contribute to our society in order to keep it going as a strong democracy. An example of a right in Australia is; the right to freedom of religion, and a responsibility of being a citizen it to pay taxes.
Types of Law
CUSTOMARY
ORIGINS
Customary law is traditionally passed down by word of mouth, the customary law of Indigenous Australians varied between nations and other language groups just like their language and other customs. These customary laws have been developed over generations to determine a system of order and discipline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal rules come from the dreaming. It refers to the time when the spirit ancestors crated the Earth and all its living things. Dreaming stories laid down the rules for people to live by, including the social and moral order that allowed people to live together peacefully.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES TO EUROPEAN LAW
Similarities:
Rules and laws to maintain peace
Differences:
Aboriginal laws come from the dreaming, whilst European laws are created and passed through parliament
Aboriginal rules include guidelines on what food could be eaten, how food could be shared, whilst European law mostly does not include these topics.
In Aboriginal communities they did not have government like European nations, instead they had Elders who took part in maintaining order the the community and led by example.
CRIMINAL
Criminal law refers to the group of laws that have been put in place to protects us from harm. It is considered a crime when one of these laws is broken. Criminal law can generally be divided into serious offences (such as murder) and less serious offences (such as damaging a property or using public transport without buying a ticket).
INDICTMENT OFFENCES
Serious offences are known as indictment offences, which means they must go to a trial in court and will be punished more severely.
SIMPLE OFFENCES
Less serious offences are known as summary or simple offences and are generally dealt with quickly by the court or police.
CIVIL
Civil law typically deals with disputes between individuals (including corporations or government bodies) over an action (or lack of action) that results in loss or harm. Civil law generally aims to right the wrongs done by compensating or paying for the victim's loss. If an individual has their rights infringed and suffers or is harmed as a result that individual can sue the other party for damages.
FAMILY
Includes disputes over births, marriages, divorces and caregiving. For example, disputes can occur when deciding who will have custody of children after a divorce
CONTRACT
Includes disputes concerning the legal arrangements and agreements between parties. Breach or contract is one of the most common forms of civil dispute. For example, disputes can happen over a contract to buy a house.
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WHY DO WE NEED LAWS?
The main reason we have laws is so that we can get along. If there were no rules or laws at all, the world would become chaos because everybody would be able to do, say or take whatever they wanted. Society needs rules and laws to guide us. Most laws are created by the government for our own good.
Some reasons for laws are:
- To protect us
- To help us live peacefully
- To give us guidelines
- To settle disputes
- To allow us to punish people
- To protect our rights