Law of Democracy

Subject LAWS70367 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

May, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

None.

Corequisites:

None.

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

Non Allowed Subjects:

None.

Core Participation Requirements:

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

  • The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis of complex materials and debate;
  • The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
  • The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Samuel Issacharoff

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone +61 3 8344 6190.

Alternatively, visit our website:

www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters

Subject Overview:

This subject addresses the constitutional law involving the design of democratic institutions and democratic processes. It aims to explore the way in which the legal rules and frameworks that structure the democratic process in different countries shape the kind of democracy those countries experience. We will explore issues such as tensions between majority and minority political representation; the role of political parties; campaign finance regulation; the individual right to vote and its limits; the design of election districts; alternative ways of designing elections and related issues. The syllabus will draw on materials from a number of countries, with the United States and Australia used as principal examples.

The lecturer is Professor Rick Pildes from New York University: a co-author of the casebook that created this field of study, The Law of Democracy (3rd edn, 2007), as well as a lawyer who has been involved in numerous cases in the field.

This subject will examine some of the salient issues presented in cases from Australia and around the world. Principal topics will include:

  • Representation of minorities through proportional representation and drawing of district lines for constituencies
  • Apportionment of representation and redistricting of electoral constituencies
  • Party funding and the problem of how money influences politics
  • Limitations on who can participate in elections through eligibility requirements or party membership
  • The problem of hate speech and anti-democratic organisations in the electoral process.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the tension between constitutional requirements and the scope of decision making left to politics
  • Understand the tension between rights-based jurisprudence and structural reviews of democratic rules
  • Have an appreciation for the constitutional cases from many countries that address how a democracy functions
  • Have an understanding of the problem of ensuring adequate minority representation in elections designed to create democratic majorities.
Assessment:

Take-home examination (100%) (12 pm 13 July to 5 pm 16 July)

Prescribed Texts:

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters/courses-and-subjects/subject-details/sid/5272

Download PDF version.