Direct Democracy

Question 1

Define ‘direct democracy’

Answer 1

All individuals express their opinion themselves rather than through representatives acting on their behalf. It emerged in Athens during classical times and can be seen today in referendums

Question 2

Define ‘legitimacy’

Answer 2

The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements, such as the government’s right to rule following an election or monarch’s succession based on the agreed rules

Question 3

What is direct democracy sometimes referred to as because of its Greek roots?

Answer 3

Athenian democracy

Question 4

For what period was direct democracy largely dormant?

Answer 4

4th-19th century BC

Question 5

Describe the Athenian system of direct democracy

Answer 5

Every tax-paying citizen would have one vote of equal value to all others and were therefore able to contribute to decision making

Question 6

In what form is direct democracy most commonly found today?

Answer 6

Referendums in Europe and some states of the USA

Question 7

What does direct democracy add to political decisions?

Answer 7

Legitimacy

Question 8

How is direct democracy most commonly used?

Answer 8

As a supplement to representative democracy, rather than as a system on its own

Question 9

Why can direct democracy not be considered an alternative to representative democracy in the 21st century?

Answer 9

The size and nature of modern politics would make its regular use impractical

Question 10

List the advantages of direct democracy

Answer 10

• Its the voice of the people, and therefore the purest form of democracy
• Decisions made directly by the people have more authority and are therefore more difficult for future governments to change or cancel
• Helps educate people about political issues
• ## Helps avoid delay and deadlock in the political system

Question 11

List the disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 11

• It can lead to a ‘tyranny of the majority’
• People are too easily swayed by short-term, emotional appeals made by characteristic individuals
• Some issues are too complecx for the ordinary citizen to understand

Question 12

What is a ‘tyranny of the majority’?

Answer 12

This is where the winning majority ignores the interests of the minority, potentially imposing something detrimental on upon them