Taking a fast track to the demise of democracy?

Te Wierik, Alicia (1995) Taking a fast track to the demise of democracy? Honours thesis, Victoria University of Technology.

Abstract

This thesis investigates different styles of government which accord different opportunities for participation of 'power to the people'. An understanding of democratic theory is thus essential as perspectives on democracy illustrate numerous styles of democratic practice and opportunities for citizen involvement. While an object of this theses is to locate styles of democracy used by modern liberal governments, the focus of the research explores the exercise of responsible citizenship. Democratic behavioural techniques of the citizen are carefully examined both in theory and practice. The case being made is that citizens, accustomed to a participatory style of democratic government, have been trained in the 'arts of participation' to act as a caretaker of both their lives and environment. With a shift in the style of government towards an elitist democratic approach, practised by the Kennett Government, the responsible citizen, as caretaker, is excluded from government decision-making processes. In response to the closing off of participatory mechanisms in favour of the elitist style of government, the responsible citizen, is turned into a person engaging in acts of civil disobedience in order to maintain his or her vigilance over the lives and environment of his or her community.

Additional Information

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Item type Thesis (Honours thesis)
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/32986
Subjects Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Communication and the Arts
Historical > FOR Classification > 1205 Urban and Regional Planning
Historical > FOR Classification > 1606 Political Science
Keywords democracy, Victoria, Grand Prix, car racing, Albert Park Reserve, Melbourne, urban planning, citizens, empowerment, participation, involvement, responsible citizenship, politics, 1990s, political parties, Liberal-National coalition, democratic practice
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