Define Direct Democracy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of referendums?

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Define Direct Democracy

        Direct democracy, also known as ‘classical’, ‘participatory’, ‘radical’ or ‘pure’ democracy, is a form of democracy that is based on the direct, unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of government. It is unmediated in the sense that the people are the government. In the purest form of direct democracy, there is no separate class of professional politicians. It is continuous in the sense that for this form of democracy to work, citizens must engage in politics on a regular and ongoing basis. Thus, all decisions are made by the people. It is direct, in the sense that the people make policy decisions, as opposed to electing those to make them on their behalf.

        Direct democracy originated in ancient Athens. The sovereign body in the Athenian system was the Assembly, which was known as the ‘Ecclesia’. It had a quorum of 6000 and when full time officials were needed, they were chosen at random. This concept can still be found today in the jury principle, although it is watered down. Other historical examples of direct democracy can be found in the Paris Commune of 1871, and present day examples can be found in Switzerland and some elements of direct democracy can also be found in certain American states. The most common form of direct democracy is present in referendum use, although this is used to supplement representative democracy, rather than replace it.

         Direct democracy gives all people the right to participate regardless of religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, physical well being etc. Part of direct democracy is the right of every one to hold political office if they choose to do so. Direct democracy also believes that all people who have the right to, should actively participate in the system so that it is representative of the people and that any law passed does have the support of the majority.

There are 45.2 million people in the UK electorate. In the recent mayoral elections in London, there was a turnout of 45%, thus it would be naïve to expect even the vast majority of these people to vote regularly when 55% of the people were not even prepared to vote in the area in which they live, let a lone the country as a whole. Asking all these people to vote regularly would also be an impetuous request due to the hectic nature of modern life. Consequently, whilst some political analysts say that the whole point of a definition is its inflexible boundaries, and that pedanticisms are absolutely necessary in politics, which is, after all, deemed a ‘political science’, less traditionalist analysts would suggest that the original definition of Direct Democracy is considerably outdated. This school of thought seems to be the preferable one to more modern political analysts; thus, the most relevant definition of democracy would therefore be what we really mean when we use the term ‘direct democracy’. The definition of direct democracy is therefore; where citizens have the option to have a direct input into the decision making process, as opposed to a continuous and unmediated input.

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Outline a case for and against referendum use in Britain

        Since World War Two, Britian has only had one national referendum. This was on whether Britain should join what was then the EEC (European Economic Community). This national referendum was held in 1975. However, there have been other examples of referendum use. Between 1973 and 2000 there have been six other referendums. However, these were for local issues. Two have been on Northern Ireland, four have been on devolution, and one has been on the issue of the Lord Mayor of London. When you compare our referendum ...

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