Democracy And Participation- The Similarities And Differences Between Direct And Representative Democracy

Question 1

Similarities of direct and representative democracy

Answer 1

Both systems involve voting and participation; only the nature of participation is different.

Some forms of direct democracy such as public meetings also require consultation, similar to representative democracy.

Most forms of representative democracy involve some measure of direct democracy, and vice versa.

Question 2

Differences of direct and representative democracy

Answer 2

Voters do not elect an individual under direct democracy — they take part in referendums instead. Representative democracy involves voting for someone to represent voters’ interests.

Voters consider a range of issues under representative democracy, whereas direct democracy often focuses on a specific issue.

Voters in direct democracy are more actively involved in decision making whereas voters in representative democracy are more passive.

Question 3

Advantages of direct democracy

Answer 3

Everyone gets a say in the decision.

Organisation is easier due to modern technology.

Gives equal weight to all votes.

Encourages popular participation.

Develops a sense of community and responsibility.

Encourages genuine debate.

Question 4

Advantage of direct democracy

Everyone gets a say in the decision
Example

Answer 4

The 2016 EU referendum was one of the greatest democratic exercises in British political history — more than 33 million people voted.

Question 5

Advantage of direct democracy

Organisation is easier due to modern technology
Example

Answer 5

The growth of e-petitions has shown how easy it has become to find out what people think.

Question 6

Advantage of direct democracy

Gives equal weight to all votes
Example

Answer 6

In a referendum, all votes are counted and the side with the most votes wins. In the EU referendum, 52% of voters opted to leave.

Question 7

Advantage of direct democracy

Encourages popular participation
Example

Answer 7

Turnout for important referendums often exceeds general election turnout.
The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 had 85% turnout, whereas the 2019 general election had just 67%.

Question 8

Advantage of direct democracy

Develops a sense of community and responsibility
Example

Answer 8

The Good Friday referendum in Northern Ireland paved the way for Catholics and Protestants to share power.

Question 9

Advantage of direct democracy

Encourages genuine debate.
Example

Answer 9

The Electoral Reform Society found that the Scottish independence referendum was conducted in an open and honest way, with reasoned arguments.

Question 10

Disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 10

The decisions made by the people in referendums may be at odds with the preferences of their elected representatives, causing political instability.

Impractical for large populations.

It can lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’
(J. S. Mill).

Lack of accountability.

It can divide communities.

It can allow an ill-educated populace to make ill-informed decisions.

Question 11

Disadvantage of direct democracy

The decisions made by the people in referendums may be at odds with the preferences of their elected representatives, causing political instability.
Example

Answer 11

The UK’s political stability was severely compromised by the Brexit referendum.

Question 12

Disadvantage of direct democracy

Impractical for large populations.
Example

Answer 12

Emergency decisions often have to be made quickly and by only a handful of people.

Question 13

Disadvantage of direct democracy

It can lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’ (J.S. Mill)
Example

Answer 13

A majority of voters in England voted for Brexit, while a majority in Scotland voted to remain. As the Leave side won, Scotland, as part of the UK, has left the EU.

Question 14

Disadvantage of direct democracy

Lack of accountability
Example

Answer 14

It is impossible to hold a whole voting population to account if a decision turns out to have unforeseen consequences.

Question 15

Disadvantage of direct democracy

It can divide communities
Example

Answer 15

The EU referendum exposed and deepened divides between regions.

Question 16

Disadvantage of direct democracy

It can allow an ill-educated populace to make ill-informed decisions.
Example

Answer 16

The Electoral Reform Society found that many voters in the EU referendum felt confused about the information they received during the campaign.

Question 17

The advantages of a representative democracy

Answer 17

Accountability: the representative can be voted out.

Representatives can become experts.

Practical for complex issues.

Gives a voice to minority opinion.

Trains future leaders of the country.

Question 18

Advantages of representative democracy

Accountability: the representative can be voted out.
Example

Answer 18

Many Liberal Democrat MPS lost their seats in 2015 - the controversy over raising tuition fees resulted in the party losing the trust of its younger supporters.

Question 19

Advantages of representative democracy

Representatives can become experts.
Example

Answer 19

Yvette Cooper MP is chair of the high-profile Home Affairs Select Committee, which focuses on immigration, crime and civil rights.

Question 20

Advantages of representative democracy

Practical for complex issues.
Example

Answer 20

Addressing the Covid-19 pandemic required MPs to weigh up the difficulties faced by small businesses during lockdown alongside the scientific necessity to minimise social contact.

Question 21

Advantages of representative democracy

Gives a voice to minority opinion.
Example

Answer 21

Parliament has passed several aws extending the rights of citizens, including the Human Rights Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Question 22

Advantages of representative democracy

Trains future leaders of the country.
Example

Answer 22

Boris Johnson held prominent roles in the cabinets of both prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May before becoming prime minister himself in 2019.

Question 23

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Representatives do not always do what the people want and may just do what they please
Example

Answer 23

Liberal Democrat MPs had signed a pledge not to raise tuition fees after the 2010 general election but subsequently voted to do so.

Question 24

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Political parties are dominated by individuals pursuing their own agendas.
Example

Answer 24

After claiming that there was no ‘magic money tree’ for public services in the 2017 general election, Theresa May’s Conservatives signed a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, promising £1 billion of investment for Northern Ireland in return for that party’s support in the House of Commons.

Question 25

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Politicians can be incompetent or corrupt.
Example

Answer 25

Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne MP was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, and so too was former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya.

Question 26

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Minority groups might still find that their concerns are unmet.
Example

Answer 26

MPs voted down proposed amendments to the bill authorising withdrawal from the EU in 2020 that would have protected child refugees.

Question 27

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Not all voters get the representative they want.
Example

Answer 27

The first-past-the-post electoral system has meant that smaller Parties are under-represented in Parliament.