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Define Direct Democracy
(5 marks) 1.1
•
It is seen a system where the pub
lic make decisions themselves, they
do not act through others
Decisions are reached on a majoritarian basis
This process of decision making
is continuous and perpetual
A historical example is Athenian Democracy
A more contemporary feature of di
rect democracy are referendums
Criticisms of Reprasentative Democracy
(10 marks) 1.1
-Participation levels are often low and this calls into question the legitimacy of
the system
-Criticism is levied as to the narrow nature of representatives who are seen as
not a true reflection of the people in society who they claim to represent.
-Problems have emerged with the politica
l parties who influence the political
process, claiming such things as narrow choice and elite rule
-Some minorities may feel excluded and marginalised under a system, of
representative democracy
Assess the various measures that have been suggested to improve democracy in the uk.
(25 marks) 1.1
1.Increased use of referendums
On the positive side these will increase levels of education, participation and
legitimacy for major and important decisions and connect the public to political life
On the negative side they eradicate the pr
ovince of the professional politician and
draw out and prolong decision making
The introduction of initiatives
2 .On the positive side they will allow the pu
blic to draw up the political agenda and
address popular issues which pr
ofession politicians may avoid. They will also engage and educate the wider public.
On the negative side they may trivialise decision making and could unfavourably
slant the political agenda with populist items.
3.The introduction of compulsory voting
On the positive side this will increase turnout and improve legitimacy and educate
the public.
On the negative side it removes freedom from the public who may wish not to vote
4.The wider use of digital technology
has the capacity to revolutionise
politics with greater and more frequent
political connection for the UK citizen
However digital systems may be subject to hacking and fraud and may appear less
open and transparent
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