Forms of Direct Democracy

Question 1

Referendums

Answer 1

Citizens are given a yes/no question by the government

EU referendum (2016)
Scottish Independence (2014)
Alternative Vote (2011)

Question 2

Initiatives

Answer 2

Citizens use a petition to put a yes or no question to all voters to suggest new legislation or to repeal existing legislation

Swiss Minaret Referendum (2009)
Proposition 8 on same-sex marriage in California (2008)
Proposition 60 in California on condoms for porn actors (2016)

Question 3

Jury service

Answer 3

Citizens are chosen by lot to sit in judgement on fellow citizens

Jury service in the UK

Question 4

Petitions (consultative democracy)

Answer 4

Citizens are able to force representatives to debate on issues by gaining the required number of signatures

UK Parliament petitions debated

Question 5

Citizen panels (deliberative democracy)

Answer 5

Panels of citizens are chosen to make informed decisions about government policy and advise about reform

Citizens juries in the UK 2001-10

Question 6

Recall elections

Answer 6

Citizens can vote or support a petition on whether to force a sitting representative to stand again for election

Recall of California Governor (2003)
Recall of MPs Act (2015)