Direct vs Representative democracy

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Evaluate the view that direct democracy can be considered superior to representative democracy.

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

• Popular sovereignty Vs tyranny of the majority
• Participation Vs voter fatigue
• Accountability

Question 3

Judgement

Answer 3

Disagree - representative democracy is superior to direct democracy

Question 4

Weaker argument - popular sovereignty

Answer 4

Lets the people decide divisive issues:
→ The Scottish Independence referendum 2014..
→ Brexit.

Question 5

Stronger argument - tyranny of the majority

Answer 5

→ In 2021, the Swiss people voted in a referendum to ban the wearing of face covering, which discriminated against Muslim women. 5% of the Swiss population is Muslim; the population banned women from the right to a freedom of religion.
→ Scottish Independence referendum split 45:55%
→ Brexit referendum split 51:49%

Question 6

Weaker argument - participation

Answer 6

→ Scottish Independence Referendum: 84%
→ Brexit: 72.2%
→ Good Friday Agreement: 74%

Question 7

Stronger argument - increases voter fatigue

Answer 7

→ In Switzerland voter turnout at referenda rarely get above 40-50%.
→ Turnout at the Brexit referendum was higher than the turnout at the following election in 2017 - 69%.
→ Italy: Turnout at referenda has declined - in 2022 turnout 20.9% whilst earlier referenda, e.g. 1974 vote on divorce, had turnout exceeding 87%.

Question 8

Weaker argument - accountability

Answer 8

→ In direct democracy citizens can vote how they feel rather than relying on politicians - The EU referendum, citizens voted Leave despite over 75% of Parliament supporting Remain.
→ In representative democracy politicians can make decisions that are beneficial for them rather than beneficial for their constituent: Expenses Scandal - Sir Peter Viggers, claimed expenses for a “duck house”. The expense had no benefit to his constituents.

Question 9

Stronger argument - accountability

Answer 9

→ In direct democracy whilst citizens directly decide there often lack mechanisms to make the decisions happen - Cameron who proposed Brexit wanted to Remain - he had to step down when we voted Leave.
→ We have the ability to hold governments/MPs to account during elections - e.g. 2024 General Election Tories suffered their worst defeat in nearly 100 years because of “partygate”, Truss, Hancock.