what is democracy and different types of democracy

• Representative democracy is a form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
• Liberal democracy is a political system that combines liberal principles, such as individual rights and freedoms, with democratic governance, including free and fair elections and the rule of law.
• what are the key features of a democracy?

  • civil rights
  • education and information
  • smooth transition of power
  • rule of law
  • elections
  • representation
  • accountability
  • legitimacy
  • participation
• what is the trustee model of representation?

  Representatives should vote according to their own best judgement rather than voting for what they think their constituents want
• what is the delegate model of representation?

  mps should vote according to how they think their constituents would want
• what is the mandate model of representation?

  MPs should vote according to their party’s manifesto and their leadership’s direction
• democracy definition

  rule by the people
• What are civil rights? Civil Rights: The citizens of the country have their rights under the protection of the nation's law.
• What is representation?

  Politicians with certain views are elected by the people with similar views to voice that opinion to the government
• Define elections? Officials are put in positions of power through voting which shows the people agree with one official over the other, giving their position credibility.
• Define legitimacy

  The law and government has its power because of the people’s trust
• Define education and information in this context?

  The public have accurate information and education on political ideologies and current or past information surrounding politics and its related issues
• Define accountability in this context?

  The government can be removed by the people should it lose trust by the process of election, giving a different government power
• Define “smooth transition of power”

  When a different government is elected the power is respectfully and peacefully passed over to the new government by the old
• Define rule of law?

  The law applies to everyone equally, regardless of race, gender, religion, wealth and class etc
• Define participation in this context:

  The public are politically engaged and have the freedom to vote, join or start a political party or pressure group, express their political views in any reasonable form, lobby etc
• What is direct democracy?

  Every eligible citizen votes on every political decision and law
• What is indirect democracy?

  Electorate vote for their politicians who are then entrusted to govern on their behalf 
• What are the features of a presidential democracy?

  President is elected by and is accountable to the electorate, president is head of state and government, individual leadership, president cannot introduce their own laws, clear separation of power
• What are features of a liberal democracy?

  Civil rights, free press, free market, restrictions on the power of government, individualism and political parties
• What are the features of a parliamentary democracy?

  PM is the leader of the party and directly accountable to the party, president or monarch is strictly ceremonial, collective government in cabinet, government can introduce its own laws, different branches overlap