Unit 1 – Area of Study 1: Power and Ideas

Outcome 1

Identify and explain key ideas relating to the exercise of political power, and analyse and evaluate different approaches to governmental power by comparing Australian democracy with a non-democratic political system.

Examples of learning activities

• Discuss the meaning of the term ‘politics’. Discuss the ways relationships based on power are present in a range of everyday situations and share these examples in group discussions.
• Read about the development of historical political ideologies. Read and take notes on the development of an ideological spectrum and its associated labels.
• Create a wall chart plotting political ideologies across the spectrum.
• Compile a media file of articles referring to the terms for example ‘left’, ‘right’ ‘conservative’ and report on one of these to the class.
• 
  Conduct a group research and prepare a brief class report on the key features of the ideologies of socialism, fascism, authoritarianism, theocracy and liberal democracy.
• Complete the survey at Political Compass. Establish where members of the class sit in relation to this quiz.
• Compile a media file of articles using key political terms and concepts covered in the Study Design. Discuss the meaning of the term ‘politics’. Discuss the ways relationships based on power are present in a range of everyday situations and share these examples in group discussions.
• Read and take notes on the development of an ideological spectrum and its associated labels.
• Visit or use the Museum of Australian Democracy website to research the history of Australian democracy. Create a timeline charting the development of democracy in Australia including key events.
• Take notes on the main characteristics of Australian democracy as outlined in the Study Design. Refer to Parliament of Australia website for definitions and explanations of the key terms.
• Watch broadcasts of Question Time; analyse these to find examples of where the characteristics of Australian democracy are shown and not shown.
• Compile an up to date list of the names of key players in Australian politics including cabinet members, the governor-general, prime minister and leader of the opposition.
• View a recent documentary on the selected non-democratic system.
• Using a graphic organiser, research the key features of a non-democratic system in comparison to Australia using the following headings: 
  • context of the political system
  • values which underpin the political system
  • the structures and powers of government
  • participation of citizens in determining who governs
  • the protection of rights and freedoms and the accountability of government to its citizens.
• Students may use the World Audit and the CIA World Factbook websites for their research. Students may then use their graphic organiser to make an oral presentation or write a report.

 

Detailed example

Ideology research report

Allocate, to each group of students, one of the following ideologies:

• liberal democracy
• socialism
• fascism
• authoritarianism
• theocracy.

Each group gives a presentation explaining their ideology. They should present their research as an oral report to the class using images, music, slides, sound or video. As students present their ideology the rest of the class should complete a grid summarizing the ideology that is being presented to them. The presentation should use contemporary examples, case studies, arguments and points of view. The presentation should include the following:

• Definition of the ideology.
• Where and when did the ideology develop? Who is regarded as a foundational thinker for this ideology? What was the historical context for its development?
• Identify and explain the key beliefs of the allocated ideology? Where does this ideology sit on the political spectrum?
• Describe a nation which has made use of this ideology in government either now or historically. Is the ideology still linked to those in power today? Why or why not?
• What are some of the key strengths and weaknesses of this ideology as it operates in the global community today?
• Explain some of the issues involved in conducting research into political ideologies online.