1.2 Types of Democracy

Democracy

system of government where power is held by the people

Direct democracy

people decide policy initiatives directly

Representative democracy

elected officials represent a group of people

Constitutional democracy

form of gov where power of majority is limited by a constitution

Examples of direct democracy

direct primary, referendum, initiative and recall

Direct primary

voters, rather than party leaders or elected officials, select who may run for office

Referendum

procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by legislature or proposed amendments to state constitutions

Initiative

procedure whereby certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

Recall

procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before end of term

What is a republic

type of representative democracy where country is governed by elected representatives and leaders

What is the united states

a constitutional democratic republic

Participatory democracy

theory that widespread participation in politics and civil society is essential to democratic gov

Civil society groups

independent associations outside gov control (one way people can participate)

Pluralist democracy

theory of democracy that argues that no single group dominates politics, instead organized groups compete to influence policy

Interest groups

groups who attempt to influence policymaking

Elite democracy

theory of democracy based on premise that participation in politics and civil society is limited because elites have disproportionate amount of influence