Tag: parliamentary democracy
-
The Dismissal of Whitlam: The Day Australia’s Governor-General Sacked the Government
The Dismissal in Context On 11 November 1975, a constitutional crisis in Australia reached its dramatic peak as Governor-General Sir John Kerr used his reserve powers to dismiss Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and suspend Parliament. The move followed months of political standoff between Whitlam’s Labor government and the opposition, led by Malcolm Fraser of the…
-
The Whitlam Dismissal: Kerr’s 1975 Constitutional Crisis
Introduction: A Turning Point in Australian Politics On November 11, 1975, Australia witnessed a dramatic constitutional clash that reshaped its political landscape: the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, exercised reserve powers to dismiss the elected government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. The acts that unfolded over a single day— Whitlam’s meeting with Kerr and the subsequent…
-
Major Constitutional Amendments in Pakistan: A 50-Year Overview
Introduction: A Half-Century of Constitutional Change Over the past 50 years, Pakistan’s Constitution has undergone numerous amendments reflecting shifts between civilian governments and military rule, as well as evolving notions of democracy, federalism, and the balance of powers. In total, 26 formal amendments have shaped the legal and political landscape, influencing how the state is…