Representative and Direct Democracy

• Advantages of Direct


  + Strong level of openness between gov and people

  + All votes are counted equally

  + Represents will of the people

  + Encourages cooperation

  + Educates the people
• Disadvantages of Direct


  - Can be manipulated ('remain', 'leave' rather than 'yes' 'no')

  - Impractical (expensive)

  - Voters may not be experts
• Examples of Direct (Brexit)


  2016

  52% LEAVE 48% REMAIN 73% TURNOUT

  Costed 142.2 million
• Examples of Direct


  AV 2011:

  32% YES 68% NO 42% TURNOUT

  Scottish Independence 2014

  45% YES 55% NO 84% TURNOUT
• Examples of Direct

  • 'Revoke Article 50 and Remain in EU' received 6 million signatures
  • 2011 petition to reinvestigate Hillsborough disaster
  • 2020 petition for further funding for Arts under COVID
• Advantages of Representative


  + Practical

  + Public can hold institutions responsible (see recall of MPs act)

  + Representatives are more experienced

  + Prevents tyranny of majority by representing minorites
• Disadvantages of Representative


  - Low turnout

  - Representatives may not properly represent their constituency

  - Delegate vs trustee

  - Inaccurate representation (29% privately educated, vs 7% of wider population)