Commerce

• Law


  A set of rules imposed on all members of society that are officially recognised, binding, and enforceable by the police force and courts
• Rules


  Regulations based on customs, morals, ethics, and values that govern conduct in particular situations. Rules will also have consequences attached if they are breached
• Anarchy


  Disorder or confusion due to the absence of government or laws
• Court


  A place where people can resolve disputes relating to law
• Ethics


  Standards that define what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, it is concerned with what is morally right or wrong
• Values


  The foundation of a person's ability to judge between right and wrong. Values include a deep-rooted system of beliefs that guide a person's decisions. They form a personal, individual foundation that influences a particular person's behaviour
• Values in daily life

  • Honesty - choosing to study rather than cheat
  • Friendship - dropping everything to help a friend
  • Healthy lifestyle - making time to work out
• Morals


  Specific and context-driven rules that govern a person's desire to be good
• Morals


  • It is bad to steal candy
  • Helping a friend is a good thing to do
  • It is bad to skip a workout
  • Working late at night is a good thing to do
• Difference between ethics and morals

  Ethics determine what behaviours are "right" or "wrong", while morals reflect our intentions
• Ethics


  • Doctors' Hippocratic Oath
  • Employees' code of ethics
  • Cheating on a test
• Nature of laws


  • Aim to achieve justice
  • Determined by equality, fairness, and access
• Reasons for law


  • Establish boundaries of acceptable behaviour
  • Protection from actions of others
  • Freedom to do many things
  • Resolving disputes
• Unitary government


  Power is held by one central authority
• Confederation


  Association of independent states that agree to certain limitations on their freedoms by joining together
• Federal government


  Power is divided between central authority and several regional authorities
• Autocracy


  One person possesses unlimited power and citizens have a limited role in government
• Oligarchy


  Small group exercises control and citizens have a limited role in government
• Democracy


  Supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation involving free elections
• Parliamentary democracy


  Citizens elect members of Parliament, and then the members select the leader
• Presidential democracy


  Citizens directly elect a leader who works separately from a legislature
• Head of State


  Monarch of the United Kingdom (presently, King Charles III); little political power
• Governor General


  Stands in for the monarch
• Prime Minister


  Holds the most political power; works closely with the legislature
• Australia's government


  • Federation (federal system)
  • Constitutional Monarchy
  • Parliamentary Democracy
• Federal system


  National government and state governments share power
• Constitutional Monarchy


  Monarch inherits the right to rule but is limited by laws and a law-making body elected by the people
• How leaders are chosen in Australia

  1. Governor General appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister

  2. Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives, indirectly elected by the people
• Legislature


  The central authority of a government
• Parliament


  Australia's legislature, where citizens vote for members
• House of Representatives


  150 seats, people in each electorate vote for a representative
• Senate


  76 seats, people from each state and territory elect senators
• Parliamentary democracy


  The legislature (Parliament) chooses the Head of Government (Executive Leader)
• Role of citizens


  Citizens 18-70 are required by law to vote, they elect members of Parliament and regional government officials, and vote on specific issues
• Magistrate


  In charge of the lowest court, does not wear a wig or robe, decides if a person is guilty or innocent and determines punishment or damages
• Judge


  Listens to arguments, ensures jury understands proceedings, decides sentence if there is a guilty verdict
• Judge associate


  Trained lawyer who manages much of the judge's paperwork
• Public


  Listens to and observes the court proceedings
• Media


  Observe proceedings to report what happens
• Sheriff's Officers


  Serve summonses and provide security for the court