Representative and direct democracy

Question 1

Representative democracy encourages political literacy

Answer 1

This is because citizens have many forms of participation in politics including voting in elections and protesting- although not all citizens choose to participate.
Theorist- Robert Dahl argued that democracy had to have effective participation with all members having equal opportunity to do so.
Eg- the average turnout in uk general elections is 65% and for local elections 50%.

Question 2

Direct democracy also ensures political literacy.

Answer 2

This is because every citizen is obliged to participate in every political decision, which can help create a well informed society where people care about events.
Eg- the Scottish Independence referendum had a record high turnout of 84%.

Question 3

Representative democracy allows the government to be in the hands of expert knowledge.

Answer 3

This is because citizens elect representatives who are experts on politics and/or other subjects such as education and economics. Theorist- Pluto argued that citizens have neither the wisdom not experience to rule wisely on their own behalf.
Eg- the same sex marriage bill went through a long period of consultation and several stages of reading and amendment in the Scottish parliament before it was passed.

Question 4

Direct democracy argued to be better as doesn’t rely on politicians

Answer 4

This is because it allows citizens to express their own views without having to rely on sometimes self serving politicians who are subject to many pressures.
Eg- in 2015 MPs voted to give themselves a large pay rise which was met with a negative public reaction.

Question 5

Representative democracy allows legitimacy to be gained

Answer 5

This is because it distances citizens from politics and encourages compromise, also provides accountability through elections and free speech from the public.
Eg- in 2019 the uk general election returned a majority conservative government which can claim to have an electoral mandate due to winning over 50% of the votes.

Question 6

Direct democracy allows more legitimacy to be gained

Answer 6

This is because citizens are more likely to accept decisions they have made themselves. Every citizen votes on every issue important to them making it almost impossible to get a result that’s not legitimate.
Eg- there’s been referendas of a Scottish parliament, voting system and Scottish independence.