Two-Party System's Role in Australia's Liberal Democracy (POL10244)

This essay delves into the Australian political system, focusing on the two-party system and its significance within the framework of liberal democracy. It examines the structure of the Australian Parliament, the roles of major political parties like the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party, and the National Party, and the influence of the Commonwealth Constitution. The essay investigates the advantages and disadvantages of a two-party system, considering its effects on political stability, individual rights, and the protection of minority interests. It analyzes the principles of liberal democracy and argues for the necessity of a two-party system in maintaining a functional and stable political environment in Australia. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of balancing political power, protecting individual freedoms, and ensuring effective governance within the context of the Australian political landscape.

Australian politics
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4
2

INTRODUCTION
In every country there is a particular political system which is followed. In that system it is
mentioned about rules and regulations on basis of which government perform their roles. Also,
political system needs to be liberal. So, the entire structure depends on system that is formed.
Democracy is political system in which the state representative are elected by the citizens of
country. Besides that, individual rights are protected in it and freedom is given to them. There
are various types of political system which is followed by country. It depends in its Constitution.
The system are liberalism, two party, communalism, kingship rule, etc
This essay will lay emphasis on whether two party system is essential to health of Australian
liberal democracy.
MAIN BODY
Is the two party system essential to the health of Australian liberal democracy
A country growth is dependent on how well its political stability is. Also, it is determined by the
type of political system which is followed. In system it is defined about power and duty of
government along with rules snd regulations. There is need to give people equal rights and
protect it as well so that democracy is maintained. The country runs via a political system in
which government is having some power to take decision. But there is law which limits power of
government to make decisions. Australia is having a liberal democracy system in which
individual rights are protected and empowered. But the power of politics is limited by law. In
Australian Parliament system, people elect parliamentarian and incorporate it some Westminster
system with a Senate adopted from US federal system. In country the oldest party is Australian
labor party of 19th century that represented labor. Another paris liberal one and third is national
party in which there are small number of other parties. But with coalition of national and liberal
party now there is two party system.
The Commonwealth Constitution does not govern in detail how members of the House of
Representatives and the Senate are to be elected, nor could it dictate the number and strength of
Australia’s national political parties and the dynamics of competition among them.
3

However, in recent times there is instability in political situation of nation. It is because of
change in power of parties. Moreover, individual rights are not protected and several protest is
being done. It leads to various protest against government and this result in bringing instability in
political situation. So, it is essential to take right decision which is favor of both people and
opposition party.
In a two party system there are two parties in country so when one gets a majority they become
ruling party and other one is in opposition. Basically, this type of system is followed in country
like US, UK, etc where representative are elected by people.
In past years it has been analysed that two party system in Australia has benefited to a great
extent. This is because the major parties are more plural than any other Democratic party in
world. However, minor parties find it difficult to gain majority in lower house due to
combination of voting and single member candidates. Thus, minor parties vacuum up in
discontent voters in order to become a major party. On contrary this system is criticized for
having alternate views and less competition. This is because of voter empathy is gained as they
are having few options to choose from. Along with it, the ideology of two parties who are
dominating is assumed. Thus, it is implied that these two parties present society with real world
experience and choise. Also, they both are broader point of view differs from political
philosophy. Through philosophy it becomes easy for them to show that how so solve issue and
respond to it. However, philosophy of major parties limit the repertoire of politics.
In present times, in Australia the community is more diversified and pluralised. The people
attitude towards each other has changed. They are now more attached with one another. So, onky
a small number of voters remain rusted on loyalty of major parties. Besides that, political party
organization are not having a vital role in linking community with pokitic. So, there are no large
party organization. Along with it, the power of organisation is now in hands of party leaders.
Therefore, there is no difference between two major parties in Issue and they are not divided. On
contrary major party agree on Various aspects of policy in basically in terms of economy. But
difference occurs usually on priority and other aspects and also party may not hear voice of to
those who oppose or for voices which is having right to be heard. Moreover, there are certain
other issues as well on which party may disagree such as environment protection, gay marriage
and many others. So, it create incentive of populism due to which voters are irritated.
4

In 21st century most nation are following concept of liberal democracy. In this the rights of
individual usually minority are protected. This democracy works on principle of liberalism. Its
feature are that it is a free, fair election are done within parties. The power is separated between
various branch of government. Here, rule of law is applied and equal rights of people, civil
rights, political freedom etc is protected. Basically, there are 4 principles on basis of liberal
democracy works they are all individuals are equal, mankind want growth and freedom, growth
comes from cooperation and disorder against some forms of power.
The framework of this democracy is to promote legitimate government by limiting its power and
in context of freedom and justice. However, here power is defined with help of Constitution in
which there are three categories that is legislative, executive and judiciary.
Therefore, it is evaluated that in Australia there is need to implement a two party system so
that liberal democracy is practiced. It will enable in giving freedom to citizen and protecting
right of minorities as well. Besides that, two party will be useful in giving a proper framework to
major parties in Australia that how democracy can be maintained. Alongside, as it is already
identified that in Australia there are only two major parties so it will be easy to implement two
party system. This will also be useful in solving similar issues related to economy and disagree
on those which are not as per philosophy of politics. Furthermore, this system will protect right
of minorities and help in growth of nation. The main benefit of two party system is it allows in
giving power to individual to vote. In addition, people will also have freedom to chose
representative. It will make it easy for two parties to fight election and working within
framework of liberal democracy. So, this system can be integrated with liberalism and led to
change in political stability. Thus, various small parties can coalition with other one who are
following similar philosophy. Henceforth, government will have equal strength and support from
people. Thsi will bring stability within political condition of Australia and give equal power to
legislative, executive and judiciary government. Other than this, in every 5 years election is done
and ruling and opposition party is elected. In this way, concept of both liberal and two party is
integrated. It will not only bring in stable condition but also help country to solve issues on
common matter. Furthermore, ruling party will be able to protect right of individual and bring in
change to thing.
There is need to practice liberalism in nation so that rights of people are protected. As Australia
is following liberalism there are some issues being faced. There are some sub parties who align
5

with other and gain trust of people. The nation can follow concept of two party that will benefit
in limiting power of major party in law. In addition to it, this has to be made effective enough so
that small parties can coalition with labor or national party. with it, the ideology of two parties
who are dominating is assumed. Thus, it is implied that these two parties present society with
real world experience and choice. Also, they both are broader point of view differs from political
philosophy. Through philosophy it becomes easy for them to show that how so solve issue and
respond to it. Thus, it will benefit Australia for long term and in changing philosophy of politics
with perspective of democracy. Thus, both freedom and justice will be protected of people and it
will provide a framework of managing government and in efficient way. Besides, there will be
proper governance and it will led to taking right decision within aspect of Constitution. This
allows in establishing a structure where all elements of government is having equal power.
Generally, president rule is effective in those countries where there are many major and minor
parties. It is because there are many disruption in it when government is formed. They are major
party in state but minor at national level. So, it becomes difficult to initiate power and take
decision at national level. There are other ways of ruling state. Hence, it result in political war
between state and national government and in this as well people right are not protected.
CONCLUSION
From essay it is summarized that liberal democracy is a government system in which individual
rights are protected and political power is limited by law. There are only two main parties in
Australia that are liberal and national party. These both works on basis of political philosophy.
However, liberalism is based on 4 principles which is required in government framework. in
Australia that how democracy can be maintained. Alongside, as it is already identified that in
Australia there are only two major parties so it will be easy to implement two party system.
Thus, it is necessary to follow two party system in order to improve health of liberal democracy
in Australia.
6

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Jaensch, D., 2017. Macmillan Dict Australian Politics. Macmillan International Higher
Education.
Maddox, M., 2019. Religion and politics. In Oxford handbook of Australian politics. Oxford
University Press.
Nolan, D., Farquharson, K. and Marjoribanks, T. eds., 2018. Australian media and the politics of
belonging. Anthem Press.
Chen, P.J., Barry, N. and Tafalga, M., 2019. Australian politics and policy.
Steel, J.Q., 2019. Merit or Misogyny: Women in Australian Politics. Newcastle Business School
Student Journal, 2(1), pp.3-13.
Prenzler, T., Horne, B. and McKean, A., 2018. Identifying and Preventing Gray Corruption in
Australian Politics. In Fraud and Corruption (pp. 61-81). Springer, Cham.
Collin, P. and McCormack, J., 2019. Young people and politics. Australian Politics and Policy,
pp.487-500.
Tham, J.C., 2018. Democracy before dollars: The problems with money in Australian politics
and how to fix them. Available at SSRN 3444849.
7