Module 1 Athenian democracy + Direct and Indirect democracy 1st year (Topic 2)

Question 1

Where did democracy start?

Answer 1

Ancient Greece in Athens
500 BC

Question 2

Mention some types of forms of government

Answer 2

Monarchy: when a king or a queen has supreme power and is usually passed on through the family line
Tyranny: when an individual has absolute power over the people and everyone
Oligarchy: when a group of individuals have power but they use that power for personal gain

Question 3

How was Athenian democracy practiced in 500 BC?

Answer 3

Greece was divided into city states

Question 4

Mention the 3 types of inhabitants in ancient Greece

Answer 4

Citizens :Men : over 18 who were allowed to vote 18+(political rights)
Non-citizens :Slaves : no political rights
Non-citizens: Women and children (with no political rights)

Question 5

What type of democracy was practiced in Ancient Greece?

Answer 5

Direct democracy

Question 6

Where would they meet to discuss laws in ancient Greece?

Answer 6

The assembly where they would discuss laws for the city-state

Question 7

Who was Cleisthenes?

Answer 7

Clesisthenes was a person who reformed Athenian democracy. He introduced the council of the 500

Question 8

What was the council of the 500?

Answer 8

The Council of the 500 was an institution in ancient Greece that consisted of 500 members chosen by lottery every year. These members would discuss the laws and policies to be potentially introduced in the city-state. After the laws would then be passed on to the assembly where the final decision would be made by the public vote. (only males 18+)

Question 9

Mention a country which practises direct democracy

Answer 9

Switzerland

Question 10

What is direct democracy known as?

Answer 10

“Pure democracy”

Question 11

How would the public vote in direct democracy?

Answer 11

By showing hands or with rocks

Question 12

Define direct democracy

Answer 12

Citizens directly participate in decision-making without elected representatives.

No elections

Question 13

Define representative democracy

Answer 13

Representative democracy involves citizens electing representatives who make decisions on their behalf.. The representatives propose laws and policies based on the preferences of the people

Elections are held to elect the representatives

Question 14

Mention some referenda that Switzerland has done

Answer 14

Joining the united nations and limiting immigration

Question 15

What is a referendum?

Answer 15

An answer to a political question
(yes or no)

Question 16

True or false
Switzerland doesn’t have referendums often

Answer 16

False.

The hold about 4 referendums every year

Question 17

Mention some advantages of direct democracy

Answer 17

1)Liberty and rights
2) Divide power between many people
3) Decisions are likely to be made for the benefit of the majority and not for the benefit of small groups
4) This participation can lead to greater civic engagements and political education meaning the population can make more informed decisions about particular issues.

Question 18

Mention some disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 18

1)Not everyone is willing or able to participate
2)Danger of apathy and disinterest among participants
3) Decision-making process can be time-consuming and expensive
4) The citizens will look for their interests rather than considering the needs and values of the society as well
5) Unwillingness to take responsibility

Question 19

Mention some advantages of representative democracy.

Answer 19

1)Multi-party ssystem
2)Freedom of speech and press
3)It is the best political system to obtain justice because the courts are present.
4)Sometimes it is associated with authoritarian regime (rule of the few and strict censorship)

Question 20

Mention some disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 20

1)Majority may be wrong
2) Some may abuse of their liberty
3) Citizens can become more passive rather than active
4)Tyranny of the majority

Question 21

Mention some examples regarding Malta for this module in general.

Answer 21

1) Malta is governed by the Labour party.
2)Malta provides free education and healthcare
3)Malta proposed the gender identity bill
4) 2 types of referenda that have been held in Malta are spring hunting and divorce
5)The deforestation protest that took place in Mosta
6)COLA;the government is trying to increase the minimum wage from 800 euros to 1100 euros in 5 years
7)Malta is one of the countries which provides citizenship by investment