External Examination 2015
2015 AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Tuesday 17 November: 9 a.m.
Time: 2 hours
Pages: 5
Questions: 29
Examination material: one 5-page question booklet
one 16-page script book
one SACE registration number label
Approved dictionaries may be used.
Instructions to Students
1.
You will have 10 minutes to read the paper. You must not write in your script book or question booklet during
this reading time but you may make notes on the scribbling paper provided.
2.
This paper is in two sections:
Section A: Australian Politics (Questions 1 to 8)
You must answer one essay question from this section.
Section B: International Politics (Questions 9 to 29)
You must answer one essay question from this section.
3.
All questions are of equal value.
4.
Do not repeat in one answer detailed material that you have already used in the other.
5.
Write your answers in the script book provided.
6.
Attach your SACE registration number label to the box on the front cover of your script book.
7.
Write the numbers of the questions you have answered in the box on the front cover of your script book.
© SACE Board of South Australia 2015
page 2 of 5
SECTION A: AUSTRALIAN POLITICS (Questions 1 to 8)
Answer one essay question from this section.
The Australian Constitution and Federalism
1.
‘The underlying principles of the Australian Constitution are the basis of contemporary Australia.’
Is this so? Argue your case.
2.
Critically assess the view that federalism ensures efficient and effective government in Australia.
Political Representation, Parliament, and the Executive
3.
Evaluate the claim that representative government works best when parliamentarians respond to
the views of their constituents, rather than to those of their political party.
4.
‘Combative upper houses are essential to responsible government.’
Critically assess this statement.
Voting and Elections
5.
‘Australia’s various voting systems guarantee democratic election outcomes.’
Is this so? Argue your case.
6.
Critically assess the view that voters are influenced more by policy than by leadership.
Political Parties
7.
Evaluate the view that, to succeed, political parties must approach policy and practice
pragmatically rather than ideologically.
8.
‘Minor parties and independents reflect the “lunatic fringe” of Australian society.’
Critically assess this claim.
page 3 of 5
PLEASE TURN OVER
SECTION B: INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (Questions 9 to 29)
Answer one essay question from this section.
Global Citizenship
9.
Critically assess the claim that a ‘global citizen’ is best defined as a person who actively seeks to
create a better world.
10. ‘Australians are driven more by short-term concerns than by a commitment to global citizenship.’
Is this so? Argue your case.
11. Critically assess the view that global activism is essential to defending free speech, democracy,
and liberty.
Global Media
12. ‘Global media now have greater power than ever before to influence citizens.’
Do you agree? Argue your case.
13. Evaluate the claim that society can rely on the media to provide balanced reporting on politics.
14. Critically assess the view that the rise of alternative media in political reporting has been driven by
dissatisfaction with traditional politics.
Australian International Relations
15. Evaluate the claim that as an independent nation, Australia has no need to rely on its major
international alliances.
16. ‘The benefits to Australia of participating in bilateral and multilateral agreements are often
overstated.’
Do you agree? Argue your case.
17. Critically assess how effectively Australia has worked to resolve at least one recent international
dispute.
The United Nations and Human Rights
18. How successfully have the actions of the United Nations honoured the intentions of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
19. ‘The United Nations is more successful when it uses dialogue rather than armed force to resolve
disputes.’
Is this so? Argue your case.
20. Evaluate the view that the United Nations successfully defends minorities.
page 4 of 5
The Politics of the Asia–Pacific Region
21. Evaluate the claim that the Asia–Pacific region is united by the common problems that its
countries face.
22. Analyse the view that national politics is the major obstacle to integration of the wider
Asia–Pacific region.
23. ‘Australia’s influence in the countries of the Asia–Pacific region strengthens as our understanding
of their cultures grows.’
Critically assess this claim.
The United States of America and World Affairs
24. Critically assess the view that the events of 11 September 2001 presented the first of many
challenges to American global hegemony.
25. ‘The major aim of American foreign policy is to provide global security.’
Do you agree? Argue your case.
26. Evaluate the claim that relations between America and Australia have gradually evolved rather
than radically changed in the years following the Second World War.
Comparative Political Systems
27. Examine the role of social and economic circumstances in the evolution of the political systems in
two countries.
28. ‘Globalisation has a greater impact than any other factor on contemporary political systems.’
Critically assess this claim, referring to the political systems of two countries.
29. ‘Engaged citizens can fundamentally transform political systems.’
Evaluate this view, referring to the political systems of two countries.
page 5 of 5 — end of question booklet