representative and direct democracy

• in a DD, you vote on binary issues
• in a DD, each vote is given equal weight
• DD can encourage political participation, debate and a sense of community
• DD can cause polarisation and division
• a RD allows the people to hold politicians to account through elections
• a RD reduces the tyranny of the majority and bolsters a pluralistic democracy
• politicians are generally better informed than the general public and more equipped to deal with complex issues
• in handing power to representatives in a RD, many people disengage from politics
• in a RD, the minority may still be ignored in favour of gaining the majority's vote
• politicians can avoid accountability
• a consultative exercise is when the government assesses public reaction to a bill
• electronic petitions have been used to propose a 2nd Brexit referedum
• open primaries are where the public directly decide on a parliamentary candidate
• leaders of a political party are chosen by the members of said party
• the recall of MPS act of 2015 allows constituents to force a by-election
• burkean model - representatives are trustees that have autonomy to deliberate and act as they see fit, even if that means going against the desires of their constituents
• delegate model - MPs should just receive the public's opinions