Advantages and Disadvantages of Democratic Systems
The second page delves into the pros and cons of both direct and representative democracy, providing a nuanced view of their impacts on governance and citizen participation.
Direct democracy offers several advantages, including giving equal weight to all votes and encouraging popular participation. It can enhance democratic engagement, as seen in the high turnout for the Scottish referendum.
Example: The EU referendum was viewed as a victory for popular sovereignty over elites like banks and businesses, which generally supported remaining in the EU.
However, direct democracy also has disadvantages. Complex decisions may be too difficult for the general public to fully understand, leading to potential misinformation and confusion.
Example: The 2011 AV referendum saw high levels of ignorance about the workings of AV and FPTP voting systems, while the 2016 Brexit referendum was marked by confusion over the consequences of leaving the EU.
Representative democracy, on the other hand, offers the advantage of accountability. MPs and ministers can be scrutinized, questioned, and voted out of office if they fail to meet expectations.
Highlight: 23% of UK representatives hold Oxbridge degrees, suggesting a high level of education and expertise among elected officials.
Representatives can also mediate between different societal interests, potentially avoiding the 'tyranny of the majority'. However, this system is not without its flaws.
Definition: Majoritarianism refers to governance by a simple majority, which can lead to the oppression of minority views and interests.
The representative system may not always accurately reflect the opinions and demands of the wider population, as seen in the 2003 decision to support the USA in the Iraq War, which was widely unpopular.
Vocabulary: The West Lothian Question refers to the debate over whether MPs from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales should be able to vote on matters that only affect England, while MPs from England cannot vote on devolved matters.
