Saturday, May 23, 2020

Gender Roles, Culture And Instrumental Talk - 822 Words

While I was reading chapter 2, culture and gender, I thought it was very interesting learning about all the different types of cultures. Before reading this chapter, I thought that every country had their own fluent language, but I learned that some countries have several languages that are used. The book says that there are about 7,100 different languages in the world today. Some only having 100 people speaking fluent, it is amazing that there are that many different languages around the world today. The three terms that I will be addressing in my journal are gender role, culture and instrumental talk. The first term that I will be addressing is gender role. The book defines gender role as â€Å"a set of expectations for appropriate behavior that a culture typically assigns to an individual based on his or her biological sex†. In today’s society it seems that some gender roles are disappearing. Just about sixty years ago gender roles were a major part of society. Men were the ones that went to work and provided money for the family. Women did not go to work and provide income, they stayed home. It was women’s responsibility to clean the house and cook for the rest of the family. Today most women go to work every day and support the family just like the men do. Men are given the role to be the man of the house when they get married and have a family. Men are supposed to protect their family in dangerous instances and make the family feel safe. The world has changed so much inShow MoreRelatedGender And Interpersonal Styles, Negotiation And Conflict Management1457 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"How males and females differ: Gender differences in interpersonal styles, negotiation and conflict management.† Introduction Women are relationship-oriented, emotional and cooperative whereas men are assertive, demanding and self-assured. This is the widely held gender stereotype that some people hold around us. Whether men and women in fact communicate differently or behave differently in communication, there is clearly a perception that they might. It is important to address these perceptionsRead MoreSexuality Reflection1221 Words   |  5 Pagesme is very personal and even being a cisgender, heterosexual female it still makes me very apprehensive to talk about it in fear of judgement. I hope as I become more confident in myself that this subject won’t be as uncomfortable to explore with others. I have many privileges and one is being able to live in a country that works very hard to protect people of different sexualities and genders. In exploring sexuality, I have done a compare and contrast of three different regions of the world in theRead MoreMale And Female Gender Binaries Are Shaped By Heteronormativity And The Idea Of Courtly Love888 Words   |  4 Pagesheteronormativity and the idea of courtly love, they both contribute largely to societies ideas of masculinity and what it means to be male. Heteronormativity is the idea that heterosexuality and male and female gender binaries are the default. It has an emphasis on strict gender roles that feed into the idea that males are supposed to be strong protectors, sole providers, and reject anything deemed â€Å"feminine†. These ideas are further advanced by the notion of courtly love, which see the malesRead MoreThe Smurfette Principle: a Popular Media Phenomenon1036 Words   |  5 Pagescontemporary example of a movie in which the Smurfette trope is demonstrated at its utmost is the blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The blog Feminist Frequency has a series of videos exploring and criticizing gender representations and messages in popular culture. The blog’s author, Anita Sarkeesian, a Canadian-American media critic, calls the movie â€Å"one of the most sexist and racist films I’ve ever seen.† Female robots’ characters are clearly underdeveloped, contrary to male robotsRead MoreThe Biotic Community Do Not Construct Paradigms Essay1628 Words   |  7 Pagesviewpoint is enculturated into society it’s not natural to us to assign ourselves to either or nor should it be indoctrinated into our paradigm that women should be seen as an instrumental value. As a political science major I am familiar with the works of political theory and thought; therefore, my understanding of gender is that identity and the physical features that we are born into have no correlation to what is written in text be it The Prince, by Machiavelli or The Book of Genesis. Also, asRead MoreEvaluating The Correlation Between The Oc And Performance Is Not A Modern Approach1738 Words   |  7 Pagesresearch article - managers play a role in getting the employees commitment that leads to improved productivity. Expanding on that research Wei Lees, (2014) combines that leadership and types OC, would introduce values and objectives of the organization to employees and voice the impo rtance to understand the overall organizational goals and will get the most out of the internal systems. The Fiol Lyles (1985) introduced organization learning into the culture and affected in firm’s decision-makingRead MoreUsing Material from Item 2b and Elsewhere, Assess Sociological Views of the Impact of Government Policies and Laws on Family Life (24 Marks)1117 Words   |  5 Pageswhole of society, whereas we can see feminists argue it just benefits men. Looking at this example of maternity leave, functionalists would argue that it allows families to perform their gender roles, with the man going back to work in the instrumental role while the woman does the domestic work in the expressive role. Therefore, we can see a great clash already in sociological views on family life. Feminists argue that it makes society keep men in control, while functionalists argue that it makes societyRead MoreGender Equality : Women And Women1570 Words   |  7 PagesGender Equality Throughout history, gender equality has been a recurring issue. In different cultures across the world there has been an imbalance between the roles of men and women in society. Women, in particular, have had a difficult time being treated with the same respect and privileges as men. In society today gender equality as become less of an issue because women have fought hard to be where they are today. Starting from early civilization, men have held the power within government and societyRead MoreThe White Class And The American Family1432 Words   |  6 Pageslove and affection, but they did it through their help and support. â€Å"A definition of love that emphasized emotional expression and close talk predominates in U.S. culture†¦In Korean and Vietnamese cultures, on the other hand, the predominant definitions of love emphasize instrumental help and support† (Pyke, 247). Child rearing is very different in both cultures because they seem to represent the opposite defin ition of what each does. The â€Å"normal American family† might project their love by sharingRead MoreThe Portrayal Of Women During The Arab World1651 Words   |  7 PagesThe portrayal of women in the media is a global phenomenon that many nations, countries and cultures struggle to find equality in the portrayal of gender throughout media systems. The Middle East and the Arab World is no exception to this phenomenon, recognizing and contributing to the negatively portrayed images of Arab women represented in the global mass media. For my research paper, I chose to focus on how women in the Arab World are breaking boundaries of these negative stereotypical images

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Most Compelling Reason for Studying Religion Today is...

The Most Compelling Reason for Studying Religion Today For me, the word ‘religion’ conjures up images of wailing fat ladies dressed in their Sunday best singing at the top of their lungs about the glory of God. Of course, this image comes from my childhood when I attended the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica every Sunday, rain or shine, with my grandmother. For her, Church, Christianity and God was a way of life; a set of principles she believed in and lived by. For others less convinced, the idea of religion or ‘being religious’ is as far fetched as aliens and UFO’s. Throughout the centuries, religion has played an important part in shaping the political landscape of most modern societies†¦show more content†¦Does anyone have the right to question or challenge another person’s religious convictions regarding their morals and values? How should members of the western religions view those who practice ancient and seemingly barbaric forms of religion? Upon viewing the state of affairs in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq someone uneducated in the laws of Islam could easily assume that the Islamic way of life seems to promote violence against women and those who wish to relax the laws. Closer to home, Britain remains a multicultural environment. In some areas the ethnic make up of certain areas have changed dramatically in the past 10 years. According to Nicola Davies, Slough represents one of the most multicultural parts of England. Of the 119,067 residents, 12 per cent are of Pakistani heritage, five per cent are Black or Black British, 14 per cent Indian heritage and 63 per cent White. Twenty per cent of the residents were born outside the European Union. Thirteen per cent of the population is Muslims, nine per cent Sikhs, four per cent Hindus and 53 per cent Christians. This means that schools and other public places have had to restructure their curriculum or modus operandi to accommodate the freedom to practice other religions as stated in the constitution. In one predominantly Slough school, the decisionShow MoreRelatedThe Philosopher Who Was An Ancient Greek Philosopher Essay1553 Words   |  7 PagesToday I chose to talk about the philosopher Plato who was an Ancient Greek philosopher who founded the Academy and is also one of the authors of philosophical works of a lot of influential works in Western civilization. Plato was born around the times of Circa in 428 B.C.E. and because of the lack of many sources from his time period, unfortunately, much of Plato’s work in his life has been reconstructed by scholars throughout his writings which were discovered and analyzed by very intelligentRead MoreA Philosophical Approach to Capital Punishment Essay2837 Words   |  12 Pagesthat we live in today is one that is divided in more ways that we can imagine. Issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, and political views are all issues that polarize our great nation. Within each of these ca tegories lie more specific and focused issues that can be as equally debated and unsettled. Issues such as abortion, gay rights and other ideas that deal with human liberty and freedom are often considered to be hot button issues in politics and can evenRead MoreThe Historical Progression of African Americans4523 Words   |  19 Pagesperceptions of discrimination for at least three reasons. The first reason for exploring children’s views about the presidency concerns the centrality of work to gender and racial differences in American society. There are significant gender and racial differences in workforce participation, occupational roles, job status, and income. Research indicates that children are aware of many of these differences from an early age. The presidency is an especially compelling example of gender and racial stratificationRead MoreEssay about Interracial Marriages Proposal3930 Words   |  16 Pages1970 and 2000, rates of interracial marriage increased more than seven-fold. Yet, little is known about the dating relationships between people of different races, particularly when it comes to analysis of who is most likely to become involved in such a relationship and for what reasons. Rates of interracial romantic relationships, especially interracial marriages, have often been seen as an indication of the social distance between racial and ethnic groups in a society (Vaquera and Kao 2007). AdditionallyRead MoreGp Essay Mainpoints24643 Words   |  99 PagesRight tech for wrong reasons 3. Arts/Culture a. Arts have a future in Singapore? b. Why pursue Arts? c. Arts and technology d. Uniquely Singapore: Culture 4. Environment a. Developed vs. Developing b. Should environment be saved at all costs c. Are we doing enough to save the environment? d. Main reasons for environmental problems nowadays 5. Religion a. Religion divides more than it unites b. Religion and politics c. Science and religion 6. Terrorism a. CanRead MoreIphone Consumer4460 Words   |  18 Pagesrightly to gain success. Some companies have abundant funds whereas some don’t to support the product, but a right understanding of customer behavior helps companies to target the right segment at the right time with the right marketing mix. Companies today witness a very competitive marketplace where they have to sell not just the product but an experience to their consumers. With the shortening lifecycle of customers marketers have to create a value, satisfaction to build a relationship with the customersRead MoreConformity - Social Psychology4828 Words   |  20 Pagesconnotation in Western society? Compare and contrast the conformity experiments of Sherif and Asch. Describe their methodology and the results that they observed. What processes seem to be at work in each case? In your view, would we get the same results today? Conformity is defined by Aronson (1988) as ‘a change in a persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people. Sherif’s (1935) study of the autokinetic effect, which was an optical illusion, isRead More65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays 2nd Edition 147256 Words   |  190 Pagesyour personality, sense of humor, values, thoughtful... ness, and all other attributes that will contribute to your success in life and business. Even the most prestigious accomplishment will be deficient if you do not explain why it was important, what you learned from it, and how you have.grown because of it. First, make a mental list of the most influential and meaningful events and experiences of your life and begin to map them into your essays,but avoid repetition. While you may want to weave aRead Morewisdom,humor and faith19596 Words   |  79 PagesTo meet the disappointments and frustrations of life, the irratio nalities and contingencies with laughter, is a high form of wisdom.† Reinhold Niebuhr, â€Å"Humour and Faith,† in Discerning the Signs of the Times: Sermons for Today and Tomorrow (1945), 111, 122, 126.* â€Å"Religion and humor are incompatible. . . . Humor: the divine flash that reveals the world in its moral ambiguity and man in his profound incompetence to judge others; humor: the intoxicating relativity of human things; the strange pleasureRead MoreHsm 542 Week 12 Discussion Essay45410 Words   |  182 PagesClick on the links in the Topics section to view the discussion topics. Then, click Respond to add your thoughts to the discussion thread. | Topics Introductions (not graded, but required) | Intentional Torts in Healthcare (graded) | Most Pressing Ethical Issues (graded) | Q A Forum (not graded) | | Intentional Torts in Healthcare (graded) | Select one of the intentional torts discussed in your text and provide an example of how this tort takes place in healthcare. As

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Same-sex Marriage in the Philippines Free Essays

Most senatorial bets against same-sex marriage; Enrile is lone supporter ANDREO CALONZO, GMA NewsMarch 18, 2013 12:48pm 145 6 838 (Updated 11:17 p. m. ) Most senatorial bets for the May 2013 polls rejected the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Philippines, with Cagayan Rep. We will write a custom essay sample on Same-sex Marriage in the Philippines or any similar topic only for you Order Now Jack Enrile the only candidate expressing support for gay union, interviews conducted by GMA News Online revealed. Twenty-four of the 33 senatorial hopefuls said they are not keen on giving same-sex couples the chance to get married in the country, where over 80 percent of the citizens are Roman Catholics. Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Eddie Villanueva, a religious leader who founded the Jesus is Lord Church, said he is against same-sex marriage because it is against Biblical teachings. â€Å"Sabi ng Good Book, huwag gayahin ‘yung nangyari sa Sodom and Gomorrah dahil darating ang paggunaw sa isang bansa ‘pag ‘yun ay ginawa,† Villanueva said in an interview. Ang Kapatiran Party senatorial bet Rizalito David, meanwhile, said same-sex marriage is â€Å"against natural law. † â€Å"Ang lalaki, ang mapapangasawa niya ay babae, at sila’y mag-aanak at dadami ang sangkatauhan. Yan ang naturang batas at hindi kailanman nagkaroon sa natural law na pwede ang parehong babae o parehong lalaki,† David said in a separate interview. David’s party lists in its political platform a â€Å"spiritual dimension† to â€Å"seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. † The issue on same-sex marriage recently came back to public attention with the election of a new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis. As a cardinal, the new pontiff openly opposed a bill to legalize same-sex unions in Argentina. He even described child adoption by couples of the same-sex as a form of discrimination to the child. A chance for happiness’ Only one senatorial hopeful, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, said he supports the legalization of gay unions in the Philippines. â€Å"Let’s give everybody a chance for happiness. Let us not discriminate. If it is your inclination to be happy with a man, why discriminate against that? † Enrile said in a separate interview. He said his view on same-sex marriage was influenced by the years he spent living in the United States. â€Å"I have seen in other countries couples of the same sex who have lived very upright lives and raised children,† he explained. Legal recognition’ Makabayan senatorial hopeful and Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino, who did not have a categorical stand on the issue, said he is open to giving some sort of â€Å"legal recognition† to couples of the same sex. â€Å"It’s something I still have to study and learn. I’m willing to hear both sides, what the benefits and disadvantages are. I have an open mind,† Casino said. Liberal Party senatorial bet Paolo Benigno â€Å"Bam† Aquino IV, who rejected same-sex marriage, meanwhile said he is open to giving â€Å"some rights† to â€Å"long-term† same-sex couples. Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, who is also running under the administration slate, for her part said she â€Å"upholds the rights of same-sex couples to form families,† but added that passing an anti-discrimination bill in the country may be the proper first step towards allowing gay unions in the Philippines. — DVM/RSJ, GMA News Don’t expect Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage to have an impact here. It was a historical and an inspiring gesture, one that would galvanize a changing cultural perspective on same-sex relationships inside and outside America. Here, it would spark debates on our readiness for same-sex marriage, but don’t hold your breath: it won’t alter anything here fundamentally. Don’t even think that this would suddenly lead President Aquino to push his allies in Congress to enact a law legalizing same-sex marriage. It just won’t happen. This is not to say that the social attitudes and behavior of Filipinos toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage are not changing. They are, and social media has triggered a shift in how we digest controversial topics that in the past have been filtered and controlled by traditional institutions, such as the Church and our schools. I’m not saying that Filipinos are now more pro-LGBT, but the overall mood is changing, and there’s more openness to engage in an issue that is still otherwise considered taboo. Social media has democratized access to a wider range of narratives and stories on LGBTs and made them part of our common experiences, creating a climate that could help dismantle oppressive stereotypes about homosexuality. The bullying of LGBT kids in American schools, for instance, a Canadian transgender joining the Miss Universe, the coming out of Hollywood celebrities – these have all catalyzed conversations here. And while we know that these happened elsewhere, we have embraced the universal elements of these stories. More importantly, social media has given us access to participate in these conversations. To respond to a homophobic slur in the past meant writing press releases or letters to the editors, the fate of which would depend on the mood of the editors. Today, Facebook and Twitter could help anyone – the in-your-face LGBT activist, the closeted bakla, and their fag hags – push alternative perspectives on LGBTs, and influence how opinion gatekeepers and icons see the issue. Why the difficulty? If social attitudes are gradually shifting, why then is it hard to push for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage here in the Philippines? Many would automatically blame the Catholic taliban, and how it has been trying to control our political institutions. I think it is a wrong framing of the problem, and it grants the Catholic hierarchy a degree of influence that doesn’t exist. The Church has no control over public opinion, as proven by the continuing popularity of the RH Bill despite the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’s opposition to it and by the failure of the Catholic Church to mobilize the so-called â€Å"Catholic vote. What we perceive to be the Church’s political influence in fact indicates a fundamental weakness in our political institutions, a democratic flaw that makes our system beholden to interest groups like the Catholic taliban. The Church is powerful; the problem is that the state is weak. Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, whether through marriage or civil unions, would not happen by engaging or reforming the Catholic hierarchy. It is after all the business of the Church hierarchy to be dogmatic, and we should just let it collapse under the weight of its internal contradictions. We should be engaging and reforming the state and make it modern, inclusive, and truly representative. Strategic battleground For the LGBT community, that would require a change in strategy. One, it means that LGBTs must reframe the debate on homosexuality along secular and non-religious terms. While I understand why Catholic LGBTs want to carve a more tolerant space within the Catholic faith, the more strategic battleground is in the Constitution, not the Bible. Same-sex marriage is understandably a sensitive religious issue, but it is above all about our sectarian values – about basic fairness and our constitutional rights, about human dignity regardless of the sex of the people we love. Two, we need to be more forthright about gay love and gay sex. For many years, LGBT activists have skirted the issue of same-sex partnerships and gay marriage as a non-priority, relegating it under more crucial issues, like discrimination in schools and the workplace. This sends the wrong signal – that same-sex partnerships are secondary and unimportant, when ironically the root of discrimination against LGBTs is the rejection of same-sex partnerships, both the sexual and romantic sides of it. We need to embrace gay sex and gay love and feel less guilty about them. A modern state, embracing gay sex and gay love. Who said that marriage is easy? – Rappler. com (The author is coordinator of Akbayan’s LGBT Collective and a member of the Philippine National AIDS Council. ) BY JONAS BAGAS POSTED ON 05/11/2012 4:04 PM | UPDATED 05/13/2012 10:45 PM Updated March 2013 Quick facts on key provisions State law and/or constitutional provision limits marriage to relationships between a man and a woman: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California*, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming California voters adopted a constitutional provision limiting marriage to relationships between a man and a woman in November 2008. This provision was challenged in federal court and ruled unconstitutional. Enforcement of this decision has been delayed pending a U. S. Supreme Court decision on the case. Supreme Court hearings are scheduled for March 2013 and a decision is expected by June 2013. State issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples: Connecticu t, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia States allows civil unions, providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island Three of these states (Delaware, Hawaii and Illinois) also have laws limiting marriage to relationships between a man and a woman. Note: In Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire, same-sex marriage has replaced civil unions. State grants nearly all state-level spousal rights to unmarried couples (domestic partnerships)*: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington** **Effective June 30, 2014 domestic partnerships in Washington will be limited to couples who are 62 years of age or older. State provides some state-level spousal rights to unmarried couples (domestic partnerships)*: Hawaii, Maine, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia State legislatures have been deeply involved in the public debates about how to define marriage and whether the official recognition of â€Å"marriage† should be limited to relationships involving one man and one woman or that same-sex couples should also be entitled to â€Å"marriage. † State legislatures have gone both ways in this debate: either enacting â€Å"defense of marriage† laws and constitutional provisions or, going the opposite direction, adopting laws allowing same sex marriage. Five states have adopted civil unions for same-sex couples that provide the same legal rights as marriage. Most states have adopted prohibitions of same-sex marriage. Most states do so by adopting â€Å"defense of marriage† language that defines marriage in their state constitution and/or state law in a way similar to the language in the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) —â€Å"the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. † Other states prohibit same sex marriages or marriages between persons of the same sex or gender. Thirty states have placed that language in their state constitutions (26 of these states also have statutory provisions adopting this language). A further eight states have statutory language adopting the restrictive language. Note that this count does include California, where federal courts have invalidated a 2008 initiative that added constitutional language defining marriage as limited to unions involving one man and one woman. The challenge to that constitutional provision is to be heard by the U. S. Supreme Court in 2013. Nine states and the District of Columbia currently allow same-sex marriages. In Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, the states’ highest courts ruled that the state constitution required that same-sex couples be accorded the same marriage rights as opposite-sex couples. In Vermont, New Hampshire, the District of Columbia and New York, Maryland and Washington, legislative bodies have passed statutory changes that allow same-sex marriages. In Maine, the legislature passed a same-sex marriage law in 2009, which was repealed in a voter referendum. In 2012, Maine voteres reversed course and approved a same-sex marriage statute. Same-sex marriages are currently being performed in those states. Several states have also expanded the legal rights available to spouses in same-sex relationships while also limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples with civil unions and domestic partnerships. Same Sex Marriages in the Philippines (Affrmative) Resolved: Same sex marriages should be legalized in the Philippines. Let me start with a quote. If homosexuality is a disease, let’s all call in queer to work: â€Å"Hello. Can’t work today, still queer. † That was by Robin Tyler. Instead of saying hey, I’m pulling off a sickie today, you say hey, sorry if I can’t go to work—I’m still gay. Can you imagine that kind of situation? If so, let’s start asking ourselves today. Why do homosexuals have to be discriminated anyway? Do they harm you or anyone in the society you live in? Same sex marriages have been an issue in the Philippines for a long time now, but since we live in a predominantly Christian country, people simply avoid further discussion of such. According to the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of Philippines, Article 2, Section 6; the separation of the church and state shall be inviolable. Meaning, no matter how grave the social issue may be, the church can never contradict the decision of the government and vice versa. It has been widely understood that the Roman Catholic church will always be against same sex marriages considering the fact that their beliefs and principles are based from the sacred scripture. However, citizens who do not opt to engage into religious ceremonies have the option to be conjugated by means of civil wedding. It has been said under Article 7 of The Family Code of the Philippines, that marriage may be officiated by a person other than a priest, rabbi, imam or minister. Included are any incumbent members of the judiciary within the court’s jurisdiction. How to cite Same-sex Marriage in the Philippines, Essay examples

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Should Refugees Be Allowed In Australia Essay Example For Students

Should Refugees Be Allowed In Australia Essay AustraliaMost Australians are governed by three levels of government local, state andfederal. For instance, a family living in Sydney would have the Sydney CityCouncil (local) looking after such things as garbage collection, parkmaintenance and dog controls. Australians pay their local government by payingrates paid according to the area and position of any land that you own. Theywould then be governed by the New South Wales Government, which would look aftersuch things as roads, and the police force. Finally, they are governed by theAustralian (Federal) Government, which is involved with trade, foreign affairsand the national treasury. Both the State and Federal Governments are paidthrough income tax. Australian governments at a State and Federal level are run according to theWestminster System, used in England. This means that there are two houses ofParliament, a lower house (The House Of Representatives) and an upper house (TheSenate). Decisions put forward and approved in the House of Representatives mustthen be approved a second time by the Senate. The only exception to this is theQueensland Government, which has only a House of Representatives. Local governments are stationed in centre of the town or city that they provideto. State governments are run from the state capitals, while the FederalGovernment sits in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory. There are six states, and two major territories in Australia. The states are:Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and WesternAustralia. The two territories are the Northern Territory and the AustralianCapital Territory. Australia also has a number of areas run by the FederalGovernment (dependent areas). These include the Ashmore and Cartier Islands,Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, HeardIsland, the McDonald Islands and Norfolk Island. Britain originally ruled Australia as a penal colony after it was discovery in1788. However, on January 1st, 1901, Australias six states were unified(federated) into one nation, formally known (and still known) as theCommonwealth Of Australia. Australia was originally governed from Melbourne,however in 1907 the Federal Parliament moved to Canberra, where it has been eversince. The biggest political debate at the moment in Australia is whether or notAustralia should become a republic. This means that Australia would be (inofficial terms) completely separated from its mother country, England, and wouldhave an Australian Head Of State. This change to a republic could occur as earlyas the year 2001, exactly one hundred years after Federation. History