Direct vs rep democracy

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

the word democracy derives from ancient greece as “demos” meaning people and kratos meaning “power”. There are two types of democracy: direct and representative. The difference between the two is that direct democracy is a form of government where citizens participate in the decision-making process rather than elected representatives. Whereas representative democracy is where citizens elect chosen representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This essay will compare their control and practicality, the reliance of politicians and experience, political literacy and apathy, and the legitimacy and stability of the two. This will help reach a conclusion on which is the better form of democracy

Question 2

Control Point and explain

Answer 2

One key feature of direct democracy is that it heightens control. Direct democracy is often referred to as a “pure form of democracy”, this is because it allows citizens to become directly involved in the decision-making process, as they have the opportunity to vote on laws, policies, and other issues themselves which allows for a better expression of “the true will of the people.

Question 3

Control theorist

Answer 3

The French theorist Jean Jacques Rousseau argued in his book “the social contract” that direct democracy allowed citizens to have freedom and flourish through good decision making as he said, “The only way for people to ensure that they are properly represented is to do the job themselves.”

Question 4

control example

Answer 4

For example, in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum the turnout was 84% which is significantly higher than general elections which are normally around 65%.

Question 5

Control analysis

Answer 5

This fits with Rousseau’s argument that when people participate in decision making, we can get the true view of the whole population, and it is possible to apply direct democracy in modern times, especially with advancing technology.

Question 6

control rebuttal

Answer 6

However, it could be argued that representative democracy is more practical. This is because in a large society such as the UK with a voting population of over 45 million it makes more sense to elect a representative to make decisions for us.

Question 7

control rebuttal example

Answer 7

For example, in Ancient Greece the city state of Athens had a population of around 250,000, only 40,000 male citizens had the right to participate in the democratic process.

Question 8

control conclusion

Answer 8

This shows that despite direct democracy heightening control, it is not practical in modern societies due to very large populations. Referenda may be used to make decisions on some important issues, the everyday decisions made by parliament need politicians to be engaged all the time.

Question 9

Reliance point and explain

Answer 9

Another feature of direct democracy is that people can voice their opinions without having to rely on potential self-serving politicians. Confidence and trust are limited in a representative democracy, whereas direct democracy would remove this worry. It would remove a layer of people who may not achieve the actual views of the people and make policies more relevant and worthful. Politicians are under many pressures such as being subject to the views of their party leader or obeying the party whip to gain promotions in their careers, serving their own interest rather than their constituents.

Question 10

reliance example

Answer 10

For example, in 2015, MPs voted to give themselves a large pay rise which caused a negative reaction from the public.

Question 11

reliance theorist

Answer 11

Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that representative democracy led to promotions of the interest of sections of society rather than the whole common interest, which he argued would lead to tyranny.

Question 12

reliance rebuttal

Answer 12

However, representative democracy allows decisions to be made with experience and expertise. It could be argued that there is a need for people with experience and knowledge in certain fields who can take informed decisions and make them into a long-term plan for the whole of society.

Question 13

reliance rebuttal theorist

Answer 13

A Greek philosopher named Plato said “leaders of the state should know how to ‘steer the ship’ meaning that political leaders should possess the stability and expertise to guide the state effectively, just as a captain needs the expertise to steer a ship.

Question 14

reliance representative rebuttal

Answer 14

Representative democracy relies on bills to be passed, which is criticized by government staff on interest groups and the general public as politicians have several opportunities to amend legislation before it passes.

Question 15

reliance representative example

Answer 15

For example, the same sex marriage bill went through a long period consultations and amendments in the Scottish parliament before it was passed.

Question 16

conclusion

Answer 16

Therefore, it can be argued that in a direct democracy, ordinary citizens would not have the expertise to be able to do this, and while there is concern that elected representatives may not be doing what is best for their constituents and only serving themselves, they still possess relevant knowledge and expertise to effectively deal with issues.

Question 17

literacy point and explain

Answer 17

Another feature of direct democracy is that it creates better informed and more politically literate citizens. Frequent participation in politics from citizens creates a dynamic society where people care about events and the factors for a range of issues. This increases the general public’s understanding of key issues which benefit the country.

Question 18

literacy example

Answer 18

For example, the 2014 Scottish independence referendum saw huge levels of political participation and political party memberships increased as citizens became more politically literate.

Question 19

literacy analysis

Answer 19

This shows that direct democracy significantly increases voter turnout and literacy as increases in people actively joining political parties shows that people being directly involved in the decision-making process gets them more interested.

Question 20

literacy rebuttal

Answer 20

However, voter apathy can cause decisions to be unrepresentative. It is said that if more direct democracies were to be introduced, the public would grow tired of the effort and commitment needed in the process and would be happier with the limited involvement they would have in a representative democracy.

Question 21

literacy rebuttal example

Answer 21

For example, participation levels in general elections are only around 65%, local council elections around 50% and elections for the European parliament can be less than 30%.

Question 22

literacy conclusion

Answer 22

This shows that most people do not want to vote as regularly as they do now. Therefore, voters may become more informed politically, it could be claimed that more direct democracy would cause voter apathy and fatigue, while representative democracy allows for less commitment while still maintaining democracy.

Question 23

legitimacy point and explain

Answer 23

Another feature of direct democracy is that it ensures legitimacy as people are more likely to accept decisions that they have made themselves, meaning more direct democracy is the UK would extend greater legitimacy to the government when it takes action on an issue.

Question 24

legitimacy example

Answer 24

For example, the Brexit referendum gave a clear mandate to the government to ensure Britain left the EU. Theresa May supported the choice to remain in the EU but saw it as her duty to deliver what the public voted for.

Question 25

legitimacy analysis

Answer 25

It can also be argued that it is easier now to gauge the public’s opinion through online referenda, but there are several security concerns that have caused countries to hold back from doing so. This means that it should be possible in the future to get quick approval from voters for decisions which need to be made, enhancing legitimacy.

Question 26

legitimacy rebuttal

Answer 26

However, representative democracy still has legitimacy but also promotes stability. It can do this as it distances ordinary citizens from politics and encourages compromise. Such as the Scottish parliament has a proportional representative electoral system meaning one party is unlikely to ever gain a majority and so have to work together with other parties in order to pass legislation.

Question 27

legitimacy rebuttal example

Answer 27

For example, the SNP have 49% of MSPs and rely on the support of the greens on certain issues.

Question 28

legitimacy rebuttal analysis

Answer 28

However, compromises may be difficult due to the number of participants and parties may have conflicting ideas about issues.

Question 29

legitimacy conclusion

Answer 29

Therefore, this shows that representative democracy is the better option when it comes to legitimacy as it also possesses stability, as it encourages political parties to be able to compromise while still debating effectively.

Question 30

Overall conclusion

Answer 30

In conclusion, despite direct democracy having several key features and benefits, they are not greater than representative democracy’s strengths. Direct democracy may provide better control, representative democracy is much more practical. Political theorist Schumpeter supported this when he argued that ordinary people do not have the correct knowledge or experience to participate in every major decision. Furthermore, many theorists also do not think that citizens should be invloved in the decision-making process as direct democracy would allow them to be. Plato argued that the ‘masses’ are inable to make important decisions and are too easily influenced. Despite direct democracy allowing citizens to be more politically literate and aware, too much participation can cause them to become fatigued. So overall, the strengths of representative democracy are greater than direct democracy’s.