representative and direct democracy

Cards (17)

  • 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