Textbook revision: Direct and representative democracy

What is direct democracy associated with?

The origins of democracy itself

When are the origins of democracy usually traced back too?

Ancient Greece

What city in particular was known for its democracy?

Athens

Which years did direct democracy run in Athens?

500 to 322 BCE

What is this model also called?

'classic democracy'

What did Athenian democracy rely on?

The participation of all citizens

What was the Ekklesia (assembly)?

The main governing body

What could any person do within the assmebly?

Attend, vote and debate on all major decisions

Give 3 examples of major decisions

- declaring war

- foreign policy

- making and revising laws

What were decisions made by?

A majority vote

Name one example of a Greek politician who was the only person who could hold the attention within meetings

Demosthenes

What was the Boule?

The council

How many men was the council made up of?

500

How often did the council meet?

Every day

How were council members chosen?

By lot

How long was the term that the council members did for?

A year

What is sortition?

The use of random selection to fill public offices

What does sortition aim to do?

Create public bodies which are composed of a representative random sample of people

Why was sorition seen as more democratic than elections?

Because it could not be affected by money or popularity and would not lead to a separation between the government and the people

What was the DIkasteria?

Popular courts

How many jurors were in the popular courts?

501

How often were the jurors chosen?

Each day

What was the criteria for being a juror?

Male, over the age of 30

Where can this criteria be seen?

Today

What is the criteria to be a juror in the UK?

Selected at random from those between 18 and 70 who are on the electoral register

What 3 things does a random selection process aim to ensure that the justice system is?

- fair

- democratic

- independent

What type of democracy is representative democracy considered to be in the modern world?

Dominant form of democracy

What 2 things do representatives claim to?

- represent the people

- legitimate right to govern

What is popular participation? (form)

Indirect

Why is popular participation indirect?

Because the public choose someone to act on their behalf

What is popular participation in government?

Limited

Why is popular participation within government limited?

Because it is infrequent and brief, being restricted to voting every few years

What is direct democracy based on the principle of?

Popular participation

What does representative democracy operate on the basis of?

Popular control

What is the basic condition for representative democracy?

The existence of democratic elections

What are three aspects that are based on the following rules for elections?

- freedom

- fairness

- regularity

Universal suffrage

All adults can vote

What is universal suffrage based on the principle of?

One person, one vote

What do voters have the opportunity of in direct democracy?

- learning about relevant alternative choices

- their likely outcomes

What has representative democracy been limited to within the UK?

General elections

What do we select in general elections?

MPs

What do we select in local elections?

Councillors

In 1998, what were there elections in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland for?

Devolved governments

When was the election for the London Mayor and Greater London Authority?

Since 2000

What are there elections for in terms of metro mayors since 2017?

- metro mayors

- Greater London Authority

Since when has there been elections for MEPs?

1979

When did the elections for MEPs come to an end?

2019, European Parliament Election

What do Police Crime Commissioners do?

Make sure that local police meet the needs of the community

Since when has there been elections for Police Crime Comissioners?

2012