PLT2701

Victorian State Politics and Policy

(ART)

Brian Costar

6 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Caulfield + Prohibitions: PCY2/3005

Synopsis: This subject involves a detailed analysis of the structure and functions of Victoria's State Polity in a comparative perspective. Victoria's place in Australia's federalism is examined as is the constitutional architecture of the State (parliament, Governor, Cabinet, Bureaucracy and regulating agencies such as the Auditor General). Electoral arrangements, voter behaviour and the State political parties are investigated as is the political economy of Victoria. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between demographics and political behaviour in the State. Victoria's machinery of public policy making is examined both from input and output perspectives.

Assessment: Essay (2000 word): 40% + Tutorial presentation: 10% + Examination (2 hours): 50%