Understanding Direct Democracy

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What is direct democracy?

Direct democracy is a form of government in which citizens have direct participation in decision-making processes.

How does direct democracy differ from representative democracy?

In direct democracy, citizens directly vote on laws; in representative democracy, citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

What is a referendum in the context of direct democracy?

A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal or issue.

Can you name a country that practices direct democracy?

Switzerland is known for practicing direct democracy through frequent referendums and initiatives.

What are initiatives in direct democracy?

Initiatives allow citizens to propose laws or amendments and vote on them directly.

What is a recall election?

A recall election allows voters to remove elected officials before the end of their term.

Why is voter participation important in direct democracies?

Voter participation is crucial as decisions are made through the collective vote of the citizens.

What is one advantage of direct democracy?

One advantage is that it gives citizens more control over government decisions.

What is one disadvantage of direct democracy?

A disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming and costly to conduct frequent votes.

How are complex issues handled in direct democracy?

Complex issues are broken down into simpler questions that can be voted on individually.

What role does technology play in modern direct democracy?

Technology can facilitate voting processes and allow more efficient management of referendums.

What is a participatory budget?

It's a process in which citizens have a direct role in deciding how public funds are spent.

Can all issues be decided through direct democracy?

Not all issues are suitable for direct democracy, especially those requiring expert knowledge.

What is the historical origin of direct democracy?

Direct democracy has its origins in ancient Athens, where citizens voted directly on legislation.

What is one reason direct democracy might not work well for large populations?

It may lead to logistical challenges in organizing widespread participation and voting.