Direct and Indirect Democracy

Question 1

Who were the first people to develop democratic ideas?

Answer 1

Ancient Greeks

Question 2

Where was Anthenian democracy practised?

Answer 2

in a small city state or polis comprising of some 40,000 citizens

Question 3

In Ancient Greece where anthenian democracy was practised by some 40,000 citizens, who could attend the peoples assembly?

Answer 3

those aged over 20

Question 4

How many times did the assembly in anthenian democracy meet a year?

Answer 4

40 times

Question 5

Why did the term democracy go out of fashion for several centuries?

Answer 5

due to the decline of Greek states

Question 6

Why could there be direct democracy in Ancient Greece?

Answer 6

as at this time, all citizens could be involved in making decisions

Question 7

In what century did the ideas of democracy begin to emerge again, largely in the writing of political figures?

Answer 7

late 18th century

Question 8

What did Thomas Paine say in the 18th century in his book ‘Common sense’?

Answer 8

he noted that in a small colony, where it was possible for all to come together, Anthenian type democracy could exist. But in a large area, representatives would be needed

Question 9

What is representation?

Answer 9

this is a form of indirect democracy in which those elected represent the views and interests of the electorate. They make decisions on behalf of the mass of citizens

Question 10

By the time of which revolution were writers discussing the two main forms of democracy?

Answer 10

French Revolution 18th century

Question 11

what is indirect democracy?

Answer 11

a situation where representatives of the people, freely elected make decisions subject to popular control

Question 12

what does direct democracy involve?

Answer 12

this involves people power or the self government of the people. It is not practical to practise this today in the same way it was in Ancient Greece.

Question 13

Where still carries out elements of direct democracy?

Answer 13

in the US they have town meetings in parts of New England

Question 14

What allow direct democracy allows popular involvement in decision making?

Answer 14

referendums

Question 15

What is the structure of the Greek model which allows the public to vote regularly on political issues and policies

Answer 15

decentralised

Question 16

Which country provides the closest approximation to the greek model?

Answer 16

Switzerland

Question 17

Why is the idea that in modern industrial states it is possible to break down governing structures in such a way that people see themselves as belonging to small units?

Answer 17

this is unlikely because governments are unlikely to surrender their powers of decision making

Question 18

What are 2 problems with the town meetings in US New England which performs direct democracy?

Answer 18

• not very well attended

- those who attend are self employed, or retired

Question 19

Why are people not interested in direct democracy in modern day?

Answer 19

because they want to spend their time on various and perhaps more interesting forms of entertainment

Question 20

How is democracy actually more fair now than in Ancient Greece?

Answer 20

In Ancient Greece, citizenship was an elite status denied to many people such as women and you have to be 20, in Britain the voting age is 18 and open to all.

Question 21

How many MPs are there to represent the people of Britain?

Answer 21

646 MPs

Question 22

What is seen as the key component of representative democracy?

Answer 22

free elections

Question 23

What 3 things can represent mean?

Answer 23

• they have been freely elected
• they represent the interests of the voters
• they are social representative

Question 24

Who set out the case for allowing an MP to act as an individual once elected in 1774?

Answer 24

Edmund Burke

Question 25

Why do members believe that you shouldn’t vote under pressure of their constituency postbag?

Answer 25

because often constituents aren’t informed on all matters and therefore it is up to the MP to seek information, listen to speeches in the HOC and then make up their mind in the light of what they hear

Question 26

What is the alternative view to the idea that MPs are elected representatives who should speak on behalf of those they represent, using their discretion when deciding how to vote?

Answer 26

the alternative view is that MPs are delegates who are expected to advance the views of those whom they represent irrespective of their own inclinations

Question 27

What do Trade Unionists expect from their leaders when consulting with government?

Answer 27

that their leaders will convey their views and make it clear what their membership will not stand, and are expected to act as they are instructed or mandated to do so.