Powerscape (2^nd Ed.) Contemporary Australian politics

An innovative and exciting approach to the study of Australian politics that is guaranteed to spark students' interest.' Professor Carol Johnson, University of Adelaide

Powerscape is an engaging study of power relationships in the Australian political system and the community at large.' Alex Karolis, Public Administration Today

Powerscape is an introduction to Australian politics designed for today's students. It outlines the core political institutions and processes, and also analyses contemporary political issues and debates.

Powerscape tells the story of a dynamic political system, and of high levels of public engagement. Despite the prevailing view that political participation in the 21st century in many liberal-democracies is subdued, this book reveals complex interactions with political processes by a wide range of players.

Organised in three parts: power and democracy, political actors, and policy processes, Powerscape systematically investigates the role of power in political life. Each chapter is introduced by a snapshot', a detailed example based on a current issue or recent event.

With extended analysis of the change of government at the 2007 federal election, this second edition has been fully updated. It includes new examples, and new chapters on political institutions and policy-making.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part I Power and Democracy

1 Politics and power

2 Liberal democracy

3 Frameworks for governing

4 Parliaments

5 Electoral systems

Part II Political actors

6 Political parties

7 News and media

8 Individual engagement

9 Pressure groups

10 Social Movements

Part III Policy Processes

11 Federalism

12 Policy analysis

13 Policy delivery

14 Australia in the world

Bibliography

Index