How do direct and representative democracies differ?
(1 point)
In a direct democracy, people vote on issues themselves.
In a direct democracy, elected politicians vote on issues.
In a direct democracy, power is located in a central authority.
In a direct democracy, people do not have civic duties
In a representative democracy, people vote for elected representatives who then vote on issues on behalf of the citizens.
In a direct democracy, people vote on issues themselves. This means that individuals have the opportunity to participate directly in decision-making, either by casting votes in person or through a direct voting system.
On the other hand, in a representative democracy, elected politicians vote on issues on behalf of the people. In this system, individuals elect representatives who then make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.
Another difference is that in a direct democracy, power is decentralized and located in the hands of the people. The ultimate authority rests with the citizens, who have the power to make decisions and shape policy.
Lastly, in a direct democracy, people have civic duties and responsibilities to actively participate in the decision-making process. This may include attending public meetings, participating in discussions, and staying informed about the issues at hand.
In order to determine how direct and representative democracies differ, we need to understand the concepts of direct democracy and representative democracy.
Direct democracy:
In a direct democracy, the people have the power to make decisions and directly participate in the decision-making process. This means that individuals vote on issues themselves, rather than through elected representatives. In a direct democracy, citizens have a more direct and active role in shaping the policies and laws that govern them.
Representative democracy:
In a representative democracy, people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. The elected officials, known as representatives, are responsible for making laws and policies on behalf of the people. In this system, citizens delegate their authority to the elected representatives, who are expected to act in the best interest of their constituents.
Now, let's compare the key differences between direct and representative democracies:
1. Decision-making process:
In a direct democracy, individuals vote on issues directly, while in a representative democracy, elected politicians vote on issues on behalf of the people. Direct democracy allows for more direct participation, as citizens have a say in the decision-making process through voting.
2. Participation level:
Direct democracies typically have a higher level of citizen participation, as people are directly involved in decision-making. On the other hand, representative democracies involve less direct participation, as citizens delegate their authority to elected representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
3. Power distribution:
In a direct democracy, power is often distributed among the citizens themselves. They have the authority to initiate and vote on laws and policies. In a representative democracy, power is concentrated in the elected representatives who have been entrusted with decision-making on behalf of the people.
4. Civic duties:
In a direct democracy, citizens typically have more civic duties, as they are actively involved in voting and participating in decision-making. This includes attending public meetings, engaging in debates, and being aware of the issues at hand. In a representative democracy, while citizens still have civic responsibilities such as staying informed and voting during elections, their direct involvement in decision-making is limited to electing representatives.
In summary, direct democracy involves citizens voting on issues themselves, while representative democracy operates through elected politicians making decisions on behalf of the people. Direct democracy allows for more direct citizen participation and distributes power among the citizens, while representative democracy involves fewer direct civic duties and concentrates power in elected representatives.