PDF Ch1.pdf | Request a copy Full text restricted Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

It is difficult to avoid politics. The news headlines which interrupt our
favourite television programs and the news banners which scroll across
the most popular websites are filled with stories of wars, government
failures and corruption. While we are all aware of politics, increasingly,
as a society, we are sceptical about politics and uninterested in the
activities of our governments and leaders. Given such views, few were
surprised when a recent opinion poll found that only 9% of Australians
regarded federal politicians as having ‘very high standards of honesty
and ethics’ (Ward & Stewart 2006, 2). Such responses might be a
natural reaction to the sensationalist coverage which dominates the
popular press, but the fact remains that politics will always be an
essential feature of modern life because we need civilised ways of
resolving the disagreements that inevitably arise in any society. In
short, politics is fundamental for social stability and economic
development because we need agreed procedures for making decisions
and resolving conflicts in an efficient and legitimate manner.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors/Creators:	Eccleston, RG
Publisher:	Pearson Education Australia
Additional Information:	© 2006 Pearson Education Australia
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page