The course consists of a detailed examination of the social origins and historical evolution of political parties in Australia. The course will examine how parties organise, how they represent themselves to the electorate and how they each, in distinctive ways, project an image of the nation with which they seek to identify. It will also examine the rise and fall of smaller parties. Other areas of inquiry include a look at voter identification and allegiance, the rise of new parties on the right and left and the challenges posed to the traditional party system by such phenomena as globalisation, economic restructuring and the emergence of new social movements.

Assessment will consist of a research essay of 2500 words, a tutorial paper, a two-hour examination OR second essay and tutorial participation.

Two lectures and one tutorial a week.

Two first-year courses in Political Science, or with the permission of the lecturer.