PLT2010

Public opinion and Australian democracy

Hyam Gold

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to distinguish core principles of democracy from variant institutional forms such as liberal representative systems and to identify key barriers to the realisation of democracy in Australia. They should be able to make use of public opinion poll evidence to compare Australian public policy with citizen preferences while recognising problems inherent in attempting to assess mass preferences from survey data. Students should also be able to identify and discuss options for the better representation of mass preferences in Australia while recognising the possible costs as well as benefits of extending democracy in Australia.

Synopsis This subject focuses on the relationship between public opinion, mass preferences and public policy in Australia. It offers a critical assessment of the health of Australian democracy and suggestions as to how this might be improved. Topics to be investigated include: the concept of democracy - core principles and variant institutional models; conventional views of Australia as a liberal representative democracy; obstacles to popular government in Australia; elites and the fear of the masses; problems in assessing mass preferences; public policy and mass preferences in Australia - the evidence from public opinion research; elite preferences and public policy in Australia; improving the assessment and representation of mass preferences in Australia; and, the dangers of greater democracy and the consequences of mass exclusion.

Assessment Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Tutorial presentation and participation: 10%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%

Recommended texts

Arblaster, A Democracy Open U P, 1987
Fishkin, J The voice of the people: Public opinion and democracy Yale U P, 1995
Luttbeg N R (ed.) Public opinion and public policy 3rd edn, Peacock, 1981