Democracy And Participation- The Similarities And Differences Between Direct And Representative Democracy Flashcards
Similarities of direct and representative democracy
Both systems involve voting and participation; only the nature of participation is different.
Some forms of direct democracy such as public meetings also require consultation, similar to representative democracy.
Most forms of representative democracy involve some measure of direct democracy, and vice versa.
Differences of direct and representative democracy
Voters do not elect an individual under direct democracy — they take part in referendums instead. Representative democracy involves voting for someone to represent voters’ interests.
Voters consider a range of issues under representative democracy, whereas direct democracy often focuses on a specific issue.
Voters in direct democracy are more actively involved in decision making whereas voters in representative democracy are more passive.
Advantages of direct democracy
Everyone gets a say in the decision.
Organisation is easier due to modern technology.
Gives equal weight to all votes.
Encourages popular participation.
Develops a sense of community and responsibility.
Encourages genuine debate.
Advantage of direct democracy
Everyone gets a say in the decision
Example
The 2016 EU referendum was one of the greatest democratic exercises in British political history — more than 33 million people voted.
Advantage of direct democracy
Organisation is easier due to modern technology
Example
The growth of e-petitions has shown how easy it has become to find out what people think.
Advantage of direct democracy
Gives equal weight to all votes
Example
In a referendum, all votes are counted and the side with the most votes wins. In the EU referendum, 52% of voters opted to leave.
Advantage of direct democracy
Encourages popular participation
Example
Turnout for important referendums often exceeds general election turnout.
The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 had 85% turnout, whereas the 2019 general election had just 67%.
Advantage of direct democracy
Develops a sense of community and responsibility
Example
The Good Friday referendum in Northern Ireland paved the way for Catholics and Protestants to share power.
Advantage of direct democracy
Encourages genuine debate.
Example
The Electoral Reform Society found that the Scottish independence referendum was conducted in an open and honest way, with reasoned arguments.
Disadvantages of direct democracy
The decisions made by the people in referendums may be at odds with the preferences of their elected representatives, causing political instability.
Impractical for large populations.
It can lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’
(J. S. Mill).
Lack of accountability.
It can divide communities.
It can allow an ill-educated populace to make ill-informed decisions.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
The decisions made by the people in referendums may be at odds with the preferences of their elected representatives, causing political instability.
Example
The UK’s political stability was severely compromised by the Brexit referendum.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
Impractical for large populations.
Example
Emergency decisions often have to be made quickly and by only a handful of people.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
It can lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’ (J.S. Mill)
Example
A majority of voters in England voted for Brexit, while a majority in Scotland voted to remain. As the Leave side won, Scotland, as part of the UK, has left the EU.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
Lack of accountability
Example
It is impossible to hold a whole voting population to account if a decision turns out to have unforeseen consequences.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
It can divide communities
Example
The EU referendum exposed and deepened divides between regions.
Disadvantage of direct democracy
It can allow an ill-educated populace to make ill-informed decisions.
Example
The Electoral Reform Society found that many voters in the EU referendum felt confused about the information they received during the campaign.
The advantages of a representative democracy
Accountability: the representative can be voted out.
Representatives can become experts.
Practical for complex issues.
Gives a voice to minority opinion.
Trains future leaders of the country.
Advantages of representative democracy
Accountability: the representative can be voted out.
Example
Many Liberal Democrat MPS lost their seats in 2015 - the controversy over raising tuition fees resulted in the party losing the trust of its younger supporters.
Advantages of representative democracy
Representatives can become experts.
Example
Yvette Cooper MP is chair of the high-profile Home Affairs Select Committee, which focuses on immigration, crime and civil rights.
Advantages of representative democracy
Practical for complex issues.
Example
Addressing the Covid-19 pandemic required MPs to weigh up the difficulties faced by small businesses during lockdown alongside the scientific necessity to minimise social contact.
Advantages of representative democracy
Gives a voice to minority opinion.
Example
Parliament has passed several aws extending the rights of citizens, including the Human Rights Act and Freedom of Information Act.
Advantages of representative democracy
Trains future leaders of the country.
Example
Boris Johnson held prominent roles in the cabinets of both prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May before becoming prime minister himself in 2019.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
Representatives do not always do what the people want and may just do what they please
Example
Liberal Democrat MPs had signed a pledge not to raise tuition fees after the 2010 general election but subsequently voted to do so.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
Political parties are dominated by individuals pursuing their own agendas.
Example
After claiming that there was no ‘magic money tree’ for public services in the 2017 general election, Theresa May’s Conservatives signed a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, promising £1 billion of investment for Northern Ireland in return for that party’s support in the House of Commons.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
Politicians can be incompetent or corrupt.
Example
Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne MP was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, and so too was former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
Minority groups might still find that their concerns are unmet.
Example
MPs voted down proposed amendments to the bill authorising withdrawal from the EU in 2020 that would have protected child refugees.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
Not all voters get the representative they want.
Example
The first-past-the-post electoral system has meant that smaller Parties are under-represented in Parliament.
