1.1 - Current Systems of Representative Democracy Flashcards
1
Q
What is direct democracy and where did it originate?
A
Every tax-paying citizen would have one vote of equal value to all others - originated in ancient Athens
2
Q
Examples of direct democracy today and what this does?
A
Seen today through referenda which can increase the legitimacy of decisions taken by a representative democracy
3
Q
Advantages of direct democracy (3)
A
- Purest form of democracy - people’s voices clearly heard
- Can avoid delay and gridlock in the political system
- Adds great legitimacy to decisions as these are being made by the people
4
Q
Disadvantages of direct democracy (3)
A
- Can lead to tyranny of the majority - the winning majority simply ignoring the wants and needs of the rest of the people
- People may be swayed by short-term emotional appeals or charismatic individuals
- Some issues may be too complex for people to understand
5
Q
What is representative democracy?
A
People choose representatives through elections to make decisions for them - ensures elected officials are held accountable by the people
6
Q
Advantages of representative democracy (4)
A
- Helps develop expertise to deal with matters that the public doesn’t have the time or knowledge to deal with
- Representatives can be held accountable at election time
- Representatives have the time to deal with a variety of complex matters, allowing the public to get on with their own lives
- In modern society it is the only way to transfer public opinion into political action
7
Q
Disadvantages of representative democracy (4)
A
- Representatives may not act in the best interests of their constituents
- It can be difficult to hold representatives to account between elections
- Allowing voters to delegate responsibility to reps may lead to public disengagement from social and political issues
- Representative bodies can be unrepresentative and ignore the concerns and needs of the people
