usa similar to oz?
May 27th 2008, 1:35 pm
#76
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Canberra
Posts: 899
Re: usa similar to oz?
Decentralization and greater allocation of authority to states, provinces, etc. would be hallmarks of confederation. Ugacrew has the right definition; what you describe as "federalism" would be described here as "confederation."
Federalism, in the context of US political history, suggests power being stripped away from the states and allocated to the federal level. The US began as a confederation, but scrapped it for a stricter form of federalism because the decentralization model was unsuccessful. The move to federalism delegated more power to the top tier, taking some of it away from the states.
Canada is a confederation, as is Switzerland. Both of these systems are considered to be variants of federalism, but in terms of describing a system in which districts cede sovereignty to a national government, the US system is more federalist than are the others.
Federalism, in the context of US political history, suggests power being stripped away from the states and allocated to the federal level. The US began as a confederation, but scrapped it for a stricter form of federalism because the decentralization model was unsuccessful. The move to federalism delegated more power to the top tier, taking some of it away from the states.
Canada is a confederation, as is Switzerland. Both of these systems are considered to be variants of federalism, but in terms of describing a system in which districts cede sovereignty to a national government, the US system is more federalist than are the others.
It sounds like US states have a level of autonomy similar to that of Australian states. However, there are 50 of them which must make life interesting.
The Queen is completely irrelevant to Australia's political system.
May 27th 2008, 2:21 pm
#77
Riding on silver wings
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,543
Re: usa similar to oz?
Oh really? I remember listening to 774 Melbourne where there was a discussion about the first female holding the position of Governor-General. I remember that she was quite a controversial person at that. Yet somehow she assumed the role. Also, the last time I checked Australia was not a republic but a commonwealth of the UK. Heck, your Parliament is headed by the Queen of England. So Australian government still has ties to the UK as loose and as noninfluential as it may be.
May 27th 2008, 2:44 pm
#78
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: usa similar to oz?
Oh really? I remember listening to 774 Melbourne where there was a discussion about the first female holding the position of Governor-General. I remember that she was quite a controversial person at that. Yet somehow she assumed the role. Also, the last time I checked Australia was not a republic but a commonwealth of the UK. Heck, your Parliament is headed by the Queen of England. So Australian government still has ties to the UK as loose and as noninfluential as it may be.
But in practice, Parliament makes law, the monarch is largely seen as a figurehead, and the Queen largely stays on the sidelines. The monarchy doesn't hold much power and doesn't involve itself in daily affairs. They do get to live in big homes, make their share of TV appearances, and live on a glamorous version of the dole.
May 27th 2008, 3:58 pm
#79
Riding on silver wings
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,543
Re: usa similar to oz?
In theory, the monarchy is powerful, with the prime minister sitting at its pleasure and with laws passing through it.
But in practice, Parliament makes law, the monarch is largely seen as a figurehead, and the Queen largely stays on the sidelines. The monarchy doesn't hold much power and doesn't involve itself in daily affairs. They do get to live in big homes, make their share of TV appearances, and live on a glamorous version of the dole.
But in practice, Parliament makes law, the monarch is largely seen as a figurehead, and the Queen largely stays on the sidelines. The monarchy doesn't hold much power and doesn't involve itself in daily affairs. They do get to live in big homes, make their share of TV appearances, and live on a glamorous version of the dole.
