Direct

• Direct democracy:

  *where the people have an immediate say

  • a system of government
  • people make decisions for themselves, no formal distinction between people and the government
  • people determine what issues should be considered and a binding vote is/may taken
  • votes are usually simple 'yes' or 'no'
  • politics is constant, consultative and active

  E.g. referendums are a form of direct democracy
• Referendums:

  1998: Good Friday agreement

  2009: proposition 8 (California)

  2012: swiss vote to ban the building of minarets

  2016: UK voted to leave European Union
• for:

  • makes the public feel a lot more included
  • views/thoughts/opinions of the public are listened to
• against:

  • it can be expensive for the UK to run
  • there is a big population in the UK meaning that it would take a long time to set up etc