Evaluate the argument that direct democracy is superior to representative democracy.
[30 Marks]
Paragraph One - Involving the people in decision making
Direct democracy gives them real power in democracy and prevents their wishes being ignored by representatives.
Participation in politics as the population is confident their vote will matter in influencing the outcome of a referendum.
Scottish Independence referendum 2014 high turnout at 84.6%, including many 16 and 17 years olds who were able to vote.
Brexit, high turnout of 72.2%.
This reflected the fact that many who were disillusioned with the traditional political process voted and felt like they were able to have a
say on important issues. The referendum also educated many citizens on the impact of the EU on the British political system, including in
relation to questions of sovereignty and trade.
Turnout in the 2019 general election was around 68%, which is higher than the 2001 general election turnout of 58% but is still a great
deal less than the average between 1945 and 1997, which was 76%.
Counter Argument:
Public are open to manipulation and representative democracy is practical
Open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers (known in Ancient Greece as demagogues) who are able to swing
public opinion in their direction.
2016 EU referendum, Leave campaign lied a number of times, which may have played an important role in winning them the referendum-
on the side of the bus the misleading claim 'We send the EU £350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead'.
Impractical in large, heavily populated modern states which often require quick decision making, such as responding to the COVID-19
pandemic and other emergencies.
Paragraph Two - Representing the whole of the population
Gives equal weight to all votes
Forces campaigns to seek to appeal to all voters, rather than targeting specific important groups of voters in specific constituencies.
High turnouts in recent referendums, as people can be confident their vote will matter.
Representative democracy, First Past the Post electoral system leads to votes being of greatly unequal value. This is not only because a
vote in a smaller constituency counts for more than it does in a larger constituency, but also due to the difference between safe and
marginal seats.
Safe seats, many voters have little hope of seeing their favoured candidate winning, leading to depressed turnout among certain voters.
Little campaign focus by parties is on these constituencies/voters.
Marginal seats, votes matter a lot more, leading to higher turnout. A great deal of campaign focus by parties is on these
constituencies/voters.
Thanet South, Kent, which has been won by the winning party at every General Election since its creation.
Counter Argument:
Direct democracy does give equal weight to all votes, a key disadvantage of direct democracy is that it leads to a 'tyranny of the majority'.
Majoritarian system, where if over 50% of the population vote for something then this gets introduced, it can be seen as disregarding the
viewpoints of those who aren't part of the majority.
Minority do not get political representation.
Turnout is taken into account, less than half of the population voted to leave the EU in the EU referendum, however since the referendum
the Conservative government pursued and negotiated a hard Brexit which can be seen as disregarding the views of those who voted
Remain, who supported a softer Brexit once it was voted for.
Representative democracy, minority groups will have representation in Parliament and will have professional politicians who can work on
their behalf, pluralist democracy.
[30 Marks]
Paragraph One - Involving the people in decision making
Direct democracy gives them real power in democracy and prevents their wishes being ignored by representatives.
Participation in politics as the population is confident their vote will matter in influencing the outcome of a referendum.
Scottish Independence referendum 2014 high turnout at 84.6%, including many 16 and 17 years olds who were able to vote.
Brexit, high turnout of 72.2%.
This reflected the fact that many who were disillusioned with the traditional political process voted and felt like they were able to have a
say on important issues. The referendum also educated many citizens on the impact of the EU on the British political system, including in
relation to questions of sovereignty and trade.
Turnout in the 2019 general election was around 68%, which is higher than the 2001 general election turnout of 58% but is still a great
deal less than the average between 1945 and 1997, which was 76%.
Counter Argument:
Public are open to manipulation and representative democracy is practical
Open to manipulation by the cleverest and most articulate speakers (known in Ancient Greece as demagogues) who are able to swing
public opinion in their direction.
2016 EU referendum, Leave campaign lied a number of times, which may have played an important role in winning them the referendum-
on the side of the bus the misleading claim 'We send the EU £350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead'.
Impractical in large, heavily populated modern states which often require quick decision making, such as responding to the COVID-19
pandemic and other emergencies.
Paragraph Two - Representing the whole of the population
Gives equal weight to all votes
Forces campaigns to seek to appeal to all voters, rather than targeting specific important groups of voters in specific constituencies.
High turnouts in recent referendums, as people can be confident their vote will matter.
Representative democracy, First Past the Post electoral system leads to votes being of greatly unequal value. This is not only because a
vote in a smaller constituency counts for more than it does in a larger constituency, but also due to the difference between safe and
marginal seats.
Safe seats, many voters have little hope of seeing their favoured candidate winning, leading to depressed turnout among certain voters.
Little campaign focus by parties is on these constituencies/voters.
Marginal seats, votes matter a lot more, leading to higher turnout. A great deal of campaign focus by parties is on these
constituencies/voters.
Thanet South, Kent, which has been won by the winning party at every General Election since its creation.
Counter Argument:
Direct democracy does give equal weight to all votes, a key disadvantage of direct democracy is that it leads to a 'tyranny of the majority'.
Majoritarian system, where if over 50% of the population vote for something then this gets introduced, it can be seen as disregarding the
viewpoints of those who aren't part of the majority.
Minority do not get political representation.
Turnout is taken into account, less than half of the population voted to leave the EU in the EU referendum, however since the referendum
the Conservative government pursued and negotiated a hard Brexit which can be seen as disregarding the views of those who voted
Remain, who supported a softer Brexit once it was voted for.
Representative democracy, minority groups will have representation in Parliament and will have professional politicians who can work on
their behalf, pluralist democracy.
