Democracy and Participation

what is democracy?

• rule by the people

Representative democracy - A form of democracy where the people select individuals, often sorted into political parties, to act on their behalf to exercise political choice and make decisions.

• These representatives aren’t delegates and don’t merely take instructions from voters; they are expected to exercise their own judgement.

• They are held to account through regular elections

Direct democracy - A democratic political system in which individuals express their opinions and vote on laws and policies themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf

How is direct democracy used today?

• referendums

  • Brexit Referendum

  • Scottish Independence Referendum

• Recall of MPs Act 2015