Participation and the effects of nonparticipation

Question 1

What is direct democracy?

Answer 1

Direct democracy involves citizens directly making political decisions, rather than representatives making decisions or them.

Question 2

Name some elements of the UK system that are direct democracy

Answer 2

• referendums
  -initiatives

Question 3

What is indirect democracy?

Answer 3

Todays democracy is largely representative
Government is conducted on our behalf by elected representatives

Question 4

What does accountability mean in a representative democracy?

Answer 4

Politicians are held to account by the electorate in elections. Various political parties publish their manifestos for the electorate to choose from.

Question 5

What does representation mean in a indirect democracy?

Answer 5

The electorate select representatives to represent their constituency.

Question 6

Give examples of decision making by elected representatives

Answer 6

• laws are made by an elected legislature in the Welsh Assembly and the UK parliament.
• governments based in Whitehall and Cardiff Bay have executive power and are formed from the elected chambers of Westminster and the Senedd.