new zealand politics 1984-1993 Essay

The Commonwealth of Australia is both a representative democracy and a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as Australia 's head of state. (How government works, 2016). Since the 1990s globalization has gained widespread currency in Australia on a social, economic, political and cultural level. (Holmes, 2012, p. 340) Laws and politics have an influence on Australia’s economic system, which is capitalism and socialism. (Political Economy, n.d.) Analysis of political and economic approaches by government can add insight into the flow on effects on a community and its individual.

"Gough Whitlam has been a towering figure in the Australian Labor Party for longer than I can remember. For more than six decades in politics, Gough Whitlam has aimed at targets higher than personal success or vindication. His energy and enthusiasm combined with the continuing powerful relevance of his goals have made him a hero to many Australians & an iconic figure in Australia's political landscape.” (Excerpt of speech by Senator John Faulkner at Gough Whitlam’s 92nd Birthday, 2008) (Source 3)

The Pluralist structure illustrates power as the aftermath of the collection of different interest groups haggling for the

Rawson’s book titled Labor in Vain? (1966) lists reasons for the decline in Labor’s first preferential votes, particularly up until the 1960s. By doing so, Rawson constructs the foundations for the beginning of the decline in chapter one, magnifying the core reasons to be the parties unneeded media drama, their lack of respect for leadership, inter-war policies, the 1945 party split, and the decline of trade union power through the alterations in Australian living standards. Rawson draws on interviews with Labor party members to construct his thesis as to why Labor is in Vain, enhancing it through the comparison of both Labor and Liberal policies. Rawson’s book is crucial for understanding why support began to decline during the early and mid-twentieth century, hence assisting with the question as it also provides answers as to what the Party itself can do about the issue, as it points out strengths of the Liberal party which assist in their success.

The “Australia transitioning into a republic” issue has resurfaced in recent years because the opinion is right. There is an inherent conflict between Australia's stated values and its structure. We claim to appreciate equality but allow our head of state to be decided through hereditary title. We function as a democracy but automatically surrender the highest position of legitimate honour to an unelected European monarch. Australia has earned her right to stand alone as a fully independent democracy; we have our own identity within the world.

“Interest groups are no less a threat than they are an expression of freedom” (Berry, 1984).

Neo-liberalism has had the greatest impact on public policy in New Zealand over the past 20 years. An example of this ideology in policy making in New Zealand history would be The National party in the 1990’s. National significantly reduced the state’s role in the labour market, and introduced markets in public housing and education. A more recent example is the current National government and their benefits policy. In 2008 National focussed on getting beneficiaries into employment. National’s leader John Key announced that they were committing to a benefit policy that would act as a safety net, but encourage beneficiaries to go out and source other forms of income (Key, 2008). This is a neo-liberal idea in the sense of having minimal state intervention. The plan to put in place a tax system that encourages people to work hard and not rely on the welfare state, and the continuing of shrinking the size of government sees that the future intentions of the current National party is going to carry on down a neo-liberal road (Key, 2008).

Political ideologies are the beliefs, morals and ethics held on what is the optimum way of governing a country (Jost, Federico, & Napier, 2009). They have long guided the elected governments behaviour, particularly in effect to Social Policy decisions; determining what policy initiatives will be elected and what is the best way of implementing such policies. New Zealand has had various political ideologies brought in by different governments; such as Social Democracy, Social Liberalism, Neo liberalism, Neo Conservatism and Conservatism. For the basis of this Essay, the focus will be on two of the most significant influences; Social Democracy and Conservatism. Both ideologies have had period 's of dominance in New Zealand 's Social policy history where they have impacted the general functioning of society. Their view of the state, and general morals have been strongly reflected in the policy initiatives there exponents have brought in. For Social Democracy, it being the 1938 Social Security Act and the various implementations of Keynesian Economic Management in the 1940s and 1980s; and for Conservatism, the Pensions for miners and returned servicemen, and the introduction of private prisons. The both having considerable impact not only on New Zealand society but the development of more progressive forms of political ideology. It will be argued that the resulting policies from the Social Democracy and Conservatism ideologies most notable influence is

Biculturalism has a massive role in Aoteaora New Zealand’s society and has a massive impact in its history. Having a clear understanding of it is crucial in order to be more appreciative of how diverse New Zealand’s society has become, and it also helps us discern the negative aspects of diversity and multiculturalism. By examining and understanding biculturalism, it helps us discern the Treaty of Waitangi’s role and influences in the human services provision here in New Zealand.

The Purpose of this report is to understand the culture and values of New Zealand culture in terms of their living condition, behaviour, society, aspect, ethics, rules, regulations, greetings, treating, food and environment. I will be focusing on the main cultures of New Zealand as it is a multi cultural society.

This essay will be discussing the social inequalities within New Zealand. These inequalities can include unequal income, education and healthcare. Through extensive research of academic resources, I will be discussing how educational, family, social and political factors contribute to the development of these inequalities. I will also be providing a line graph that shows the unequal income between classes and a second line graph that demonstrates the difference in student success between high decile and low decile schools.

New Zealand is one of the countries in the world that has unwritten consititution and it is vital because it is the base of a government on how to govern a country based on it. Having a written constitution in New Zealand will give New Zealanders more access about certain documents on the consitution itself. On the other hand, if New Zealand continuously having an unwritten constitution, the citizen may not have knowledge on it due to limited access on it. This essay will clarify on constitution and what is a written constitution. This essay also covers the need to include the Constitution Act 1986, the Public Finance Act 1989 and the Arms Act 1983 and removing the Public Sector Act 1988 from it.

In New Zealand we have a constitution therefore ‘person A’ is incorrect as their argument is that we do not have one. They are incorrect because New Zealand has a constitution in the sense of ‘a body of rules determining or providing procedures for determining the organisation, personnel, powers and duties of the organs of government.’ The constitution is unwritten as there is no document generally known as ‘The Constitution’ but it is found in legal documents, decisions of the courts, and in practices. In this context it makes sense for ‘person A’ to believe that New Zealand does not have a constitution as there is not a physical document of all of our constitutional arrangements set out. If you do look at their point of view that way then they are not entirely incorrect, but when incorporating all of the proper information about New Zealand’s constitution it is hard to argue that they do not have one.

(New Zealand Government, 2015, para. 1). Prime Minister John Key, the main advocate for change, officially launched such discussion last year in a public address he gave at Victoria’s University in Wellington. One of the main points presented in Key’s (2014) speech were his views on how he believes Moreover Key (2014) also argued (para. 88). So far the Prime Ministers proposal failed to inspire the public. On the contrary, it has produced a substantial amount of controversy. The main arguments seem to revolt around the issues of cost, process, national symbol, history and change. This paper will look more closely into each of these aforementioned public differences and close with my own view concerning this debate.

New Zealand 's constitution is very unique and is the base of our legal system. The constitution is unwritten allowing a variety of elements that make up our constitution some are; constitution conventions and statutes. New Zealand 's constitution structure is separated into three branches; the legislature, judiciary and the executive . The executive is the decision making branch, it is believed that the executive is where the real power of parliamentary supremacy lies, as the decisions they make influence the process of legislation . Throughout this essay I will emphasise how statutes are more important and effective in contrast to constitution conventions.