Representative Democracy vs Direct Democracy

Introduction

• In the US, citizens vote once every two years
• Lawmaking primarily occurs in Congress
• Democracy is about citizens having a say in government

Founding Principles

• Post-British rule: US founders debated level of citizen involvement
• Concerns: Average citizens' education for voting
• Decision: Balance between citizen representation and educated representatives

Types of Democracy

• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to vote on laws on their behalf
• Direct Democracy: Citizens vote on every issue themselves

Historical Context

Direct Democracy

• Origin: Ancient Greece (Athens)
• Citizens met, debated, and voted on issues
• Restricted to adult white males as citizens
• Assembly meetings for passing laws
• Officials partially elected by lottery

Representative Democracy

• Origin: Roman system
• Leaders from regions voiced people's concerns
• Main parts: Two councils, Senate, Citizens' Assembly
• Hints of direct democracy: Citizen and tribal assemblies for discussion
• Rich had more influence than the poor

Implications and Applications

• Greece: Educated citizens, centralized power
• Rome: Large, diverse empire, difficult for direct citizen input

Modern Democracies

• Larger populations favor representative democracies
• Examples: US, UK, India, France
• Only direct democracy: Switzerland (popular votes four times a year)

Pros and Cons of Representative Democracies

Pros

• Suitable for large populations
• Technological advances make participation easier

Cons

• Public might not engage adequately
• Busy lives and complex issues might hinder public involvement
• Risk of representatives not aligning with public desires
• Minority voices may be overpowered

Considerations for Active Citizenship

• Importance of voting and public engagement
• Citizens should communicate with local/state officials

Reflection

• Explore uses of direct and representative democracy in non-political contexts (e.g., school systems)