What Is Democracy? Flashcards
What is democracy?
A system of government where power is vested in the people
Based on principles of participation, competition, and legitimacy.
What is Direct Democracy?
Citizens directly participate in decision-making (e.g., referendums)
Pros: Purest form of democracy, increases legitimacy. Cons: Impractical in large societies, risk of tyranny of the majority.
What are the pros of Direct Democracy?
Purest form of democracy, increases legitimacy
Direct participation enhances citizen engagement.
What are the cons of Direct Democracy?
Impractical in large societies, risk of tyranny of the majority
Majority rule can suppress minority opinions.
What is Representative Democracy?
Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
The UK is an example of a representative democracy.
What are the pros of Representative Democracy?
Practical, representatives are accountable
Allows for efficient decision-making in larger populations.
What are the cons of Representative Democracy?
Potential for disengagement, representatives may not reflect public will
Voter apathy can lead to unrepresentative governance.
What defines Liberal Democracy?
Protects individual rights and limits government power
Examples include the UK and USA.
What defines Majoritarian Democracy?
Majority rules, sometimes at the expense of minorities
An example is Switzerland.
Fill in the blank: A system of government where power is vested in the people is called _______.
[Democracy]
True or False: In Direct Democracy, citizens do not participate in decision-making.
False
Citizens directly participate in decision-making.
