This course explores the nature of Australian democracy, and is designed to build on a developing understanding of the dynamics of the Australian political system and its institutions. The course approaches Australian politics from both a theoretical and comparative perspective, and opens by considering various theories of democracy, including liberal, pluralist, feminist and Marxist perspectives. It also examines the origins of democracy in Australia and its historical development, and seeks to establish whether and to what extent Australian democracy has its own distinctive character. How resilient is it and how has it coped with crises at both state and federal levels? The course will also look at comparisons between Australia's democracy and its institutions and those in a number of other countries.

Assessment will consist of a research essay of 3000 words, a tutorial paper, a two-hour examination and tutorial participation.

Maddox, G. Australian Democracy in Theory and Practice, 5^th ed. Longman, Sydney.

Sawer, M., Abjorensen, N. and Larkin, P. Australia: The State of Democracy, Federation Press, Sydney, 2008.