representative vs direct democracy essay

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What is the Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy

The main difference between direct democracy and representative democracy is that direct democracy is a form of democracy where all laws and policies are created by a general vote of society while representative democracy is a form of democracy where citizens vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them .

Democracy is a form of government in which citizens have the power and authority to choose their governing legislation. There are two main forms of democracy as direct democracy and representative democracy.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Direct Democracy – Definition, System, Pros and Cons 2. What is Representative Democracy – Definition, System, Pros and Cons 3. What is the Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy – Comparison of Key Differences

Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy - Comparison Summary

What is Direct Democracy

Direct democracy, also known as a pure democracy, is a form of democracy where citizens govern directly. In this form of democracy, all laws and policies of governments are determined by the people themselves, without any intermediary. Moreover, all citizens have the power to vote on all laws, bills and even court decisions.

Key Difference - Direct Democracy vs Representative Democracy

Figure 1: Landsgemeinde (public, non-secret ballot voting system operating by majority rule) is a form of Direct Democracy

Ancient Athens is the best example of direct democracy. In Athenian democracy, all citizens except women, immigrants and slaves, voted on all major issues of the government. If we look at countries in the modern world, Switzerland is an example of a country that practices a form of direct democracy. The vote of the general public can veto any law enacted by the nation’s elected legislative branch. In addition to these, citizens can vote to require the national legislature to consider amendments to the Swiss constitution.

Furthermore, the main advantage of direct democracy is that it allows a greater degree of transparency and openness. However, this governance form may prove to be inefficient for a country with a high population.

What is Representative Democracy

Representative democracy is a form of democracy wherein citizens of a state vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them. Representative democracy is also known as indirect democracy. Moreover, representative democracy is the direct opposite of direct democracy. In this form of democracy, citizens do not directly involve in creating laws and policies and other government matters. Instead, they vote and select officials who perform these duties on their behalf. Nearly all modern democracies are representative democracies. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and India are some countries with such a democratic system.

Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy

Figure 2: The U.S. House of Representatives is an example of Representative Democracy

Furthermore, the powers of the elected officials are curtailed by the constitution of the country, which establishes the basic laws, policies and framework of the government. However, officials or representatives elected through citizens’ vote also have the power to select other representatives and government leaders such as a president and prime minister. Besides, an independent judiciary body, such as the Supreme Court, has the power to declare laws enacted by the representatives as unconstitutional.

Representative democracy has both advantages and disadvantages. While this type of democracy is efficient and empowers people (as people can select representatives who can make their voices heard by the national government), it is not always reliable since representatives may not always reflect the will of the people. Moreover, representatives may misuse their power and position, leading to massive-scale corruption.

Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy

Direct democracy is a form of democracy where all laws and policies are created by a general vote of society, while representative democracy is a form of democracy where citizens vote on representatives to create laws and policy on behalf of them.

Need for an Intermediary

In a direct democracy, there are no intermediaries; the vote of the citizens directly determine all laws and policies of governments. In contrast, in a representative democracy, people elect representatives to create and amend laws and policies on their behalf.

Transparency

Moreover, direct democracy has a greater degree of transparency and openness than representative democracy. It is because elected officials in a representative democracy may not always reflect the voice of the people; they may tend to misuse their power.

Representative democracy may be more efficient and practical than direct democracy. It is because citizens voting on all government issues may require a considerable amount of time and resources. Especially, this is true in cases of countries having large populations like India and the United States.

Ancient Athens and Switzerland are perfect examples of direct democracy while the United States, the United Kingdom, France and India are some examples of representative democracy.

Democracy is a form of government in which citizens have the power and authority to choose their governing legislation. Moreover, direct democracy and representative democracy are the two main forms of democracy. The main difference between direct democracy and representative democracy is that in direct democracy, citizens govern directly, without and intermediaries whereas, in a representative democracy, citizens vote on representatives who govern the country on behalf of them.

1. Longley, Robert. “What Is Representative Democracy? Definition, Pros, and Cons.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 20 Mar. 2019, Available here . 2. Longley, Robert. “Direct Democracy and the Pros and Cons of Everybody Voting.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 7 July 2019, Available here . 3. “Representative Democracy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Nov. 2019, Available here .

Image Courtesy:

1. “ Landsgemeinde Trogen 1814 ” By Mock, Johann Jakob – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 2. “USHouseStructure2012-2022 SeatsByState” By ChrisnHouston – File:112USHouseStructure.svg (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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Representative Democracy vs Direct Democracy

The debate between direct and representative democracy has been ongoing in politics for years, with each system having its own unique strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we will make a comparison of the key differences between the two forms of democracy and discuss their respective benefits and drawbacks.

What is direct democracy?

Direct democracy, also known as Athenian democracy, is a type of democracy in which citizens participate in the decision-making process directly, rather than through elected representatives. This means that citizens have the power to vote on laws and policies directly, rather than having elected officials make decisions on their behalf. The most common example of direct democracy is the referendum, where citizens give their direct view on an important topic to them all, such as the decision to leave the European Union, which resulted in a referendum in 2016 .

One of the main advantages of direct democracy is that it gives citizens more control over their government and allows them to have a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives. This can lead to more engaged and informed citizens and can also help to ensure that the needs and concerns of everyone are taken into account.

However, there are also some significant downsides to direct democracy. One of the main issues is that it can be time-consuming and logistically difficult to get a large number of people together to vote on important issues. This can lead to a lack of representation for certain groups and can also make it difficult to get a clear sense of the public’s opinion on a given issue. Furthermore, direct democracy may not be suited for large, diverse societies, and a small minority may not be able to impose their will on the majority.

What is representative democracy?

Representative democracy, on the other hand, is a system of government in which citizens elect individuals to make decisions on their behalf. These elected representatives are responsible for introducing and voting on laws and policies, and they also serve as a link between citizens and the government. One of the key advantages of representative democracy is that it allows for a much more efficient and streamlined decision-making process. With representatives handling the legislative process, citizens are freed up to focus on other aspects of their lives.

Another advantage of representative democracy is that it allows for a greater diversity of opinions and perspectives to be represented in government. Because representatives are elected from a variety of different backgrounds and regions, they are more likely to represent the needs and concerns of a wide range of citizens.

However, representative democracy also has some disadvantages. One of the main issues is that representatives may not always act in the best interest of their constituents. They may be swayed by powerful lobbies or special interests groups or act according to their own ideology and may not always agree with the majority of the citizens they represent. Additionally, representatives may be influenced by their own personal interests or political ambition, leading to a lack of accountability.

What do you think?

In conclusion, both direct and representative democracy have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Direct democracy gives citizens more control and ensures that all voices are heard, while representative democracy allows for a more efficient and streamlined decision-making process. Ultimately, the best system of government will likely be a combination of both, where citizens are able to participate directly in certain decisions while also having elected representatives to represent their interests.

You can learn more about how direct and representative democracy are used in the UK and abroad as part of our UK Politics course , perfect for all A Level Politics students.

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Political Participation — Similarities Between Direct And Representative Democracy

Similarities Between Direct and Representative Democracy

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Direct Democracy: Definition, Examples, Pros and Cons

Harold Cunningham / Getty Images

B.S., Texas A&M University

Direct democracy, sometimes called "pure democracy," is a form of democracy in which all laws and policies imposed by governments are determined by the people themselves, rather than by representatives who are elected by the people.

In a true direct democracy, all laws, bills, and even court decisions are voted on by all citizens.

Brief History

The first examples of direct democracy can be found in the ancient Greek city-state of Athens, where decisions were made by an Assembly of some 1,000 male citizens. During the 17th century, similar people’s assemblies were used in many Swiss towns and town meetings in colonial America . By the 18th century, early U.S. states started using procedures in which constitutions or constitutional amendments were ratified by direct democracy. During the 19th century, Switzerland and many U.S. states incorporated direct democracy in their constitutions. The continued use of direct democracy originated from three major types of developments:

Attempts by social classed to curb the political power of a dominating oligarchy .
Processes leading to political or territorial autonomy or independence for legitimizing and integrating emerging countries.
The transformation from authoritarian rule to democracy, as in Germany’s regional states after World War II.

Modern democracy developed as people gradually demanded a larger share of political representation and extension of representative voting rights. Constitutions, civil rights, and universal suffrage became identified with “democracy” based on the principles of popular sovereignty , freedom, and political equality.

Direct vs. Representative Democracy

Direct democracy is the opposite of the more common representative democracy , under which the people elect representatives who are empowered to create laws and policies for them. Ideally, the laws and policies enacted by the elected representatives should closely reflect the will of the majority of the people.

While the United States, with the protections of its federal system of “ checks and balances ,” practices representative democracy, as embodied in the U.S. Congress and the state legislatures, two forms of limited direct democracy are practiced at the state and local level: ballot initiatives and binding referendums , and recall of elected officials .

Ballot initiatives and referendums allow citizens to place—by petition—laws or spending measures typically considered by state and local legislative bodies on statewide or local ballots. Through successful ballot initiatives and referendums, citizens can create, amend, or repeal laws, as well as amend state constitutions and local charters.

Direct Democracy in the United States

In the New England region of the United States, towns in some states such as Vermont use direct democracy in town meetings to decide local affairs. A carryover from America’s British colonial era , the practice predates the founding of the country and the U.S. Constitution by over a century.

The framers of the Constitution feared that direct democracy could lead to what they called the “tyranny of the majority.” For example, James Madison , in Federalist No. 10 , specifically calls for a constitutional republic employing representative democracy over a direct democracy to shield the individual citizen from the will of the majority. “Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society,” he wrote. “Those who are creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.”

In the words of Declaration of Independence signer John Witherspoon: “Pure democracy cannot subsist long nor be carried far into the departments of state—it is very subject to caprice and the madness of popular rage.” Alexander Hamilton agreed, stating that “a pure democracy, if it were practicable, would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false than this. The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure, deformity.”

Despite the framers' intentions at the beginning of the republic, direct democracy in the form of ballot initiatives and referendums are now widely used at the state and county level.

Examples of Direct Democracy: Athens and Switzerland

Perhaps the best example of direct democracy existed in ancient Athens, Greece. While it excluded many groups including women, enslaved people, and immigrants from voting, Athenian direct democracy required men over the age of 20 to vote on all major issues of government. Even the verdict of every court case was determined by a vote of all the people.

In the most prominent example in modern society, Switzerland practices a modified form of direct democracy under which any law enacted by the nation’s elected legislative branch can be vetoed by a vote of the general public. In addition, citizens can vote to require the national legislature to consider amendments to the Swiss constitution.

Pros and Cons of Direct Democracy

While the idea of having the ultimate say over the affairs of government might sound tempting, there are both good and bad aspects of direct democracy that need to be considered:

3 Pros of Direct Democracy

Full Government Transparency: Without a doubt, no other form of democracy ensures a greater degree of openness and transparency between the people and their government. Discussions and debates on major issues are held in public. In addition, all successes or failures of the society can be credited to—or blamed on—the people, rather than the government.
More Government Accountability: By offering the people a direct and unmistakable voice through their votes, direct democracy demands a great level of accountability on the part of the government. The government cannot claim it was unaware of or unclear on the will of the people. Interference in the legislative process from partisan political parties and special interest groups is largely eliminated.
Greater Citizen Cooperation: In theory at least, people are more likely to happily comply with laws they create themselves. Moreover, people who know that their opinions will make a difference are more eager to take part in the processes of government.

3 Cons of Direct Democracy

We Might Never Decide: If every American citizen were expected to vote on every issue considered at every level of government, we might never decide on anything. Between all of the issues considered by local, state, and federal governments, citizens could literally spend all day, every single day voting.
Public Involvement Would Drop: Direct democracy best serves the interest of the people when most people take part in it. As the time required for debating and voting increases, public interest and participation in the process would quickly decrease, leading to decisions that did not truly reflect the will of the majority. In the end, small groups of people—often with axes to grind—could control the government.
One Tense Situation After Another: In any society as large and diverse as that in the United States, what is the chance of that everyone will ever happily agree with or at least peacefully accept decisions on major issues? As recent history has shown, not much.

" A Citizen's Guide to Vermont Town Meeting ." Office of the Vermont Secretary of State, 2008.

Tridimas, George. " Constitutional Choice in Ancient Athens: The Evolution of the Frequency of Decision Making ." Constitution Political Economy , vol. 28, Sep. 2017, pp. 209-230, doi:10.1007/s10602-017-9241-2

Kaufmann, Bruno. " The Way to Modern Direct Democracy in Switzerland ." House of Switzerland. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2019.

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Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy

What's the difference.

Direct democracy and representative democracy are two different forms of governance. In a direct democracy, citizens have a direct say in decision-making and policy formation. They participate in the decision-making process through referendums and initiatives. On the other hand, in a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. These representatives are responsible for representing the interests and concerns of the people. While direct democracy ensures direct citizen participation, representative democracy allows for more efficient decision-making and delegation of responsibilities. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs and values of a society.

Attribute	Direct Democracy	Representative Democracy
Definition	A form of democracy where citizens directly participate in decision-making	A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
Participation	Direct participation of citizens in decision-making processes	Indirect participation through elected representatives
Decision-making power	Citizens have direct decision-making power	Decision-making power lies with elected representatives
Efficiency	Decision-making process can be slower due to direct involvement of citizens	Decision-making process can be faster due to the efficiency of elected representatives
Representation	Every citizen has the opportunity to directly represent themselves	Citizens are represented by elected officials
Accountability	Direct accountability of citizens for decisions made	Representatives are accountable to the citizens who elected them
Flexibility	Allows for more flexibility in decision-making as citizens can directly participate	Decision-making process may be less flexible due to the involvement of representatives
Expertise	May lack specialized expertise in decision-making	Representatives can bring specialized knowledge and expertise to decision-making
Participation barriers	Requires active participation and engagement of citizens	Allows for passive participation through voting for representatives

Further Detail

Introduction.

Democracy, as a system of governance, comes in various forms, each with its own set of attributes and advantages. Two prominent forms of democracy are Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy. While both aim to ensure the participation of citizens in decision-making processes, they differ significantly in terms of their mechanisms and outcomes. In this article, we will explore and compare the attributes of Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy, shedding light on their strengths and weaknesses.

Direct Democracy

Direct Democracy is a system in which citizens have the power to directly participate in decision-making processes. In this form of democracy, citizens have the ability to vote on legislation, policies, and other important matters. One of the key attributes of Direct Democracy is that it allows for a more direct expression of the will of the people. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, citizens can directly influence the outcome of decisions that affect their lives.

Furthermore, Direct Democracy promotes a sense of empowerment and civic engagement among citizens. It encourages active participation in public affairs, fostering a stronger sense of community and shared responsibility. By directly engaging with the decision-making process, citizens are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and accountability for the outcomes.

However, Direct Democracy also has its limitations. One of the challenges is the practicality of implementing this system in large-scale societies. As the number of citizens increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure efficient decision-making processes. Direct Democracy requires active participation from all citizens, which can be challenging to achieve in societies with millions of individuals.

Moreover, Direct Democracy may also be susceptible to the tyranny of the majority. In situations where the majority holds strong opinions, the voices and concerns of minority groups may be overshadowed or ignored. This can lead to the marginalization of certain segments of society and hinder the protection of individual rights and liberties.

Representative Democracy

Representative Democracy, on the other hand, is a system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. In this form of democracy, citizens exercise their democratic rights by voting for individuals who will represent their interests and concerns in the decision-making process. One of the key attributes of Representative Democracy is that it allows for the efficient management of large-scale societies.

By electing representatives, citizens delegate the responsibility of decision-making to individuals who have the time, resources, and expertise to thoroughly analyze complex issues. This enables more informed and efficient decision-making processes, as representatives can dedicate their efforts to understanding the intricacies of various matters.

Furthermore, Representative Democracy provides a system of checks and balances. Through the separation of powers, different branches of government can oversee and limit each other's actions, preventing the concentration of power in a single entity. This helps safeguard against potential abuses of power and ensures the protection of individual rights and liberties.

However, Representative Democracy is not without its drawbacks. One of the criticisms is the potential for a disconnect between the representatives and the citizens they represent. Elected officials may not always accurately reflect the diverse opinions and concerns of their constituents. This can lead to a sense of alienation and frustration among citizens, who may feel that their voices are not being adequately heard or represented.

Moreover, Representative Democracy can also be influenced by special interest groups and lobbying efforts. The financial resources and influence of certain organizations or individuals can sway the decision-making process in favor of their own interests, potentially undermining the democratic principles of equality and fairness.

Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy are two distinct forms of democracy, each with its own set of attributes and advantages. Direct Democracy allows for a more direct expression of the will of the people, promoting civic engagement and empowerment. However, it may face challenges in large-scale societies and can be susceptible to the tyranny of the majority. On the other hand, Representative Democracy ensures efficient decision-making processes and provides checks and balances to prevent abuses of power. However, it may lead to a disconnect between representatives and citizens and can be influenced by special interest groups.

Ultimately, the choice between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy depends on the specific needs and characteristics of a society. Striking a balance between direct citizen participation and efficient decision-making is crucial for a well-functioning democracy. By understanding the attributes and limitations of each system, societies can strive to create democratic structures that best serve the interests and aspirations of their citizens.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

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Difference Between Direct and Representative Democracy

• Categorized under Politics | Difference Between Direct and Representative Democracy

representative vs direct democracy essay

Direct vs Representative Democracy

Democracy is a form of government wherein citizens are allowed to govern themselves by letting them participate in the formulation and passage of laws and in deciding what is best for them. Its most basic characteristics are freedom and equality.

Although democracy had been practiced in ancient Mesopotamia, India, and Phoenicia, it was thought to have originated in ancient Greece particularly in the city state of Athens. Athenian democracy was a direct democracy. Direct democracy is also known as pure democracy. In a direct democracy, citizens propose, decide, and change Constitutional laws; initiate referendums; and choose and remove public officials who are not effectively doing their jobs.

It is practiced in Switzerland which approves laws using a single majority in the town, city, and canton levels and a double majority in the national level. Laws are proposed by its citizens and must be approved by a majority of the voters and a majority of the cantons or administrative divisions. Although there are also political parties in direct democracies like Switzerland, they make sure that the decision of the majority is upheld; deciding issues on their merits, and keeping representatives from compromising the values of the people and their own.

Most citizens of direct democracies are very active in their governments since they influence every issue and decision that their governments take. In governments that have large populations, having a direct democracy can be difficult. Most of them, like the United States of America and the United Kingdom, advocate a representative democracy. Citizens elect or choose a government official to represent them in the Senate or Congress. They may propose laws that can benefit the community that they represent.

Although it is always assumed that representatives have the people’s best interests in mind, they do not always follow what most of them really want. They can be influenced by other factors and decide according to what they think is important. Most representative democracies also have some features that are present in direct democracies, though. They hold referendums wherein citizens can vote directly on whether to pass or reject a certain law, initiate amendments to laws, and recall or remove public officials.

1.A direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of government wherein the citizens have a direct say in the formulation of laws and issues that affect them while a representative democracy is a form of government wherein its citizens vote for or elect a representative to represent them in Congress or the Senate. 2.Although citizens of both a direct democracy and a representative democracy vote in referendums and elect or remove public officials, in a direct democracy their decisions are always upheld while in a representative democracy, the representative may or may not consider their decisions and act on his own. 3.A direct democracy is suitable only for small communities or countries while most countries with large populations opt for a representative government. 4.In a direct democracy, citizens are more actively involved in their government while citizens of a representative democracy oftentimes let their representatives decide on issues for them.

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Cite APA 7 M, E. (2011, July 27). Difference Between Direct and Representative Democracy. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/politics/difference-between-direct-and-representative-democracy/. MLA 8 M, Emelda. "Difference Between Direct and Representative Democracy." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 27 July, 2011, http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/politics/difference-between-direct-and-representative-democracy/.

12 Comments

‘representative democracy’ is a lie. one person can not represent 100, 000. such politicians are the inheritors of war lords and rule nations whose people have never been citizens, only serfs, or commoners.

these politicians rule for themselves, and the patrons whose money funds the elections that have evolved from civil war, becoming the non-violent counting of ballots instead of flights of arrows and volleys of bullets.

democracy means ‘rule by the people.’ it is not ‘rule by politicians.’ rule by politician is simply oligarchy, often elective oligarchy, but nothing to do with democracy.

Yes. And it’s admitted.

So if you read your average political studies, or political science book, near the introduction, there is the admission that the principles of ‘representative democracy’ don’t translate “because of the development of political parties and the modern media”.

Why can’t we vote now even though we qre kids and we are much mature that’s not fair? Why can’t we just vote on an early age.

Because kids have to grow up and make the right decision, not just any decision. (BTW; I am 11 so I understand as well)

You can not vote quite yet, because people of your age lack the knowledge of who or what would be a good thing to vote for. And yes, maturity is important in voting.

I find this kind of funny, but kids don’t really know what happens with politics. They don’t know too much about the government. And let’s be honest here, they’re pretty irresponsible. You can’t trust kids. They like to goof off! Well, at least some. And they don’t take anything seriously. Don’t worry, I’m 12, I this feels. But we aren’t responsible enough. Don’t feel bad, you’ll become an adult later on in life. Then, you’ll get to vote, realizing that it isn’t as exciting as you thought. I’m just joking.

That idea is stpd. Adults don’t give children enough credit for all that they can do. Children today are more accepting, more diverse, and smarter than any generation before them. They can do a lot and, to be honest, they’re smarter than a lot of adults today. Do you know how many children have gone through a school shooting, watched their friends die in front of them, and adults have given them no voice? So no, children are not irresponsible, and they take quite a lot seriously. Honestly, I would trust them to make a smarter choice that any adult. Us adults need to wake up and realise that it isn’t just our world anymore.

My guy I hate to be that guy but no way am I letting an 11 year old vote for who leads the United States.

I still don’t get what the difference between these are. Can someone explain this in their own words? That would help a lot. Thank You.

Yes! That would be extremely handy! I’m in grade 6 currently and we are studying democracy and I’m not sure that I understand!

Same but im in grade 7 currently and it helps a lot

Generally the definition of maturity is: Thinking in advance about the possible consequences that can follow a decision that is made and/or an action that is taken. Therefore, a person would necessarily need to have sufficient experience in a realm or knowledge about any given subjects to judge them maturely before making choices. Certainly a very young child is still limited with respect to life experience and may also not yet have been sufficiently educated about the scope of or complexities underling any one subject, in order to make an “informed” decision upon which to base an action to be taken. Generally, that is why young children are to be guided by parental instruction, guidance, counseling and even some forms of retribution so that they can learn about self control and consequences before they act. (Admittedly, according to this definition, there are many adults who have not reached “maturity” with respect to some of the decisions they make – and – at some point, before the legal age for the confirmation of “adulthood” and for voting, some “children” would be very informed and earnest about making wise decisions) With respect to voting, that is why education must include sufficient background information about the way men have attempted to govern themselves in the “political” arena throughout history, in order to understand how and why those experiments have either failed or worked successfully. And, then, casting an “informed vote” for a political candidate should likewise include more than simply listening to the rhetoric expoused by the candidates, polls, news reports or political operatives, before we align with a candidate and determine that we will cast our vote for them. That would include also having information about the differences between the platforms of each of the political parties that the candidates represent, so that we can decide which set of principles would provide the greatest good for the government of the people, by the people, for the people in this nation. As an “informed voter, with responsibility for the consequences that follow elections, we do need to fully understand the responsibilities a candidate has had in the past and how they have fulfilled them (sometimes that is their voting record on issues) to judge wether they will fulfill the promises of their campaigns. And, then you go to cast your vote also keeping in mind your vote’s stewardship responsibility to the just government of all the people/citizenry, whose welfare is of the upmost interest to the Creator, to Whom all of creation actually belongs and to Whom we owe our primary allegiance when we cast our votes.

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Direct Democracy vs Representative Democracy

Any law which was not directly created by the citizens is not valid, and if those laws are imposed on people, that is equivalent to the people being enslaved. The citizens of a society must both develop and obey `the supreme decision of the general will’, which is the society’s determination of the common good. It is not even thinkable that all citizens will agree on what good is. Rousseau recognized this and accepted a term of majority rule. Those who voted against a policy which is found to be the best for the general, must have een thinking of personal gains, rather than the gains of the entire society.

A Great Comparison Between Direct and Representative Democracy

The main difference between a direct and a representative democracy is in who makes the laws of the land. Buzzle gives a comprehensive comparison of direct vs. representative democracy, including aspects like their definitions, features, advantages, disadvantages, and examples.

A Comparison Between Direct and Representative Democracy

Did You Know?

Excluding the petro states and China, the top 25 richest countries in the world are all democracies.

A democracy is a system of government in which citizens are allowed to play the lead role. The word ‘democracy’ is influenced by the Greek term ‘demokratia’, which means ‘rule of the people’. Depending on the type of democracy, citizens may either pass laws themselves, or elect representatives who will do the job for them.

There are many aspects of democratic rule, including equality to all citizens before law, freedom of the press, and civil liberties. With the advent of time, most democracies across the world have evolved to represent the voice of the majority, though with constitutionally-guaranteed rights to the minorities. While the ancient city-sate of Athens is widely recognized as the world’s first democracy, other examples include the Chola Kingdom of ancient Tamil Nadu, Mesopotamia, and Greek Sparta. The difference between the two main types of democracy―direct and representative―have been elaborated on in the following sections.

Direct democracy is a form of government where eligible citizens get together and vote directly among themselves to pass laws which are acceptable to them.

The form of government in which people, rather than voting directly, elect representatives who will vote for them in the government, is called representative democracy.

Features of Direct Democracy

► All citizens have to collect at a certain place for a mass meeting.

► The issue at hand is discussed and debated.

► Each person can then pass one vote.

► The side with the maximum vote (at least one exceeding half) wins.

► These assemblies also appoint government officials who hold administrative posts.

► Elements of a direct democracy have been included in some modern governments, like Switzerland.

► This includes allowing citizens to put every law passed by their representatives to a general vote, if they wish, subject to acquiring enough signatures from the public.

► Citizens are also allowed to propose any amendment to the constitution of these governments, again, provided they obtain enough signatures from the public.

Features of Representative Democracy

► All eligible voters elect their representatives, like house representatives, or members of state legislatures, for a certain term.

► The elected member then places the grievances of his electorate in the parliament.

► The representatives vote on behalf of citizens on important issues.

► They also have the power to appoint other elected representatives, such as government officers and the prime minister.

► Some modern representative democracies like the US provide citizens with some benefits of a direct democracy.

► This includes a plebiscite in which citizens can vote on matters of public policy.

► Citizens are also allowed―in rare cases―to recall elected representatives, i.e., to remove them from their office before their term gets over.

► After the elected representatives complete their term, citizens vote again to elect new representatives.

Advantages of Direct Democracy

▲ A direct democracy is the purest form of democracy, in which people can make decisions for themselves.

▲ This system makes the government more answerable to the people, increasing transparency.

▲ It increases citizens’ awareness on political matters.

▲ It reduces the dependence of citizens on professional politicians.

▲ It allows citizens to veto laws that they don’t find acceptable.

▲ It leads to a stable government, as the decisions taken reflect the will of the people.

▲ People can give their vote without having to deal with political limitations that elected representatives have to face.

▲ Citizens can vote for what they need, without having to compromise.

▲ This system can restore faith in the government, at a time when politicians are viewed with suspicion.

▲ It brings about a reduction in corruption levels, and increases cooperation among citizens.

Disadvantages of Direct Democracy

▼ People need to come out and vote for every single matter of public policy, which is both, inconvenient and expensive.

▼ A true direct democracy is very hard to establish in a heavily populated country, due to the arrangements required for such a large number of people to get together.

▼ Some citizens may choose not to attend, which makes the process resemble a representative democracy.

▼ Media and government officials can influence public opinion.

▼ Some uneducated citizens may not know what they are voting for, as compared to professional politicians in a representative system who are better equipped to take decisions.

▼ Rather than long-term decisions, people may base their vote on prevailing notions of the time.

▼ A direct democracy will mean that the wish of the majority will prevail on the minority.

Advantages of Representative Democracy

▲ The practicality of this system makes it applicable to modern, large societies.

▲ It involves professional politicians who are politically aware and better equipped to create legislation.

▲ As compared to direct democracy, this system takes off the burden of decision-making from the citizens.

▲ The complicated demands of citizen groups can be formulated into the most appropriate and balanced policy by elected representatives.

▲ It makes political dialog and cooperation necessary, which prevents majority tyranny, as compared with a direct democracy.

Disadvantages of Representative Democracy

Examples of direct democracy.

Ancient Athens The city-state of Athens in ancient Greece followed the purest form of direct democracy, around 5th century BC, in which people assembled on the slope of hills to make decisions on all policy matters. A general assembly consisting of men, called the ‘boule’, was only allowed to vote; slaves, women, and people born outside Athens had no right to do so. Such males over the age of 18 took decisions, such as declaration of war, citizenship, levying taxes, foreign alliances, and even judged court cases.

Elements of Direct Democracy in USA In the New England region of USA, during the colonial era, the town was governed by a ‘town meeting’, which comprised every eligible male that owned property. The gathering decided on various issues, such as taxes, town expenditure, appointing officials, and representatives to the colonial assembly. In modern USA, citizens are given the right to decide the fate of a legislation via referendums. They can discuss laws that are yet to be passed, and can even propose constitutional amendments via initiatives. They can also ‘recall’ an elected official from his post before his term expires.

Switzerland Though Switzerland is technically a representative democracy, it has inculcated some elements of a direct democracy too. All laws passed by the representative assembly can be revoked if the public votes against it. Citizens are allowed to initiate changes in the constitution via a public initiative. In fact, even today, in some districts, assemblies called the ‘Landsgemeinde’ are held, in which people gather in outdoor meetings to pass laws by which the district will be run. This makes Switzerland one of the few countries that is heavily influenced by the principles of direct democracy.

Examples of Representative Democracy

USA The people of USA elect their representatives, both at the state and federal level, in multiparty elections. This makes it a federal republic. These representatives vote on matters that affect the citizens. They also elect or play a role in electing other government officials, such as judges. The federal government is divided into three branches: the executive, legislative, and the judiciary. At the end of their terms, the elected representatives have to run for reelection.

India India is also a federal republic just like the US, and is the world’s largest democracy. Citizens elect their representatives in both state and central assemblies, in separate elections. In the rural areas, smaller assemblies called ‘Panchayats’ are elected, which address the grievances of the local community. The Indian President is however only a nominal head as compared to the US President, though he does perform some important duties. The real seat of power is in the executive, called the cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Moreover, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President from the party which obtains a majority in the central elections.

United Kingdom The UK is a representative democracy, in which the government consists of just two legislative assemblies, rather than being divided into three branches of the legislative, judiciary, and executive, like the US and Indian governments. These assemblies are the lower House of Commons and the higher House of Lords. The Prime Minister, rather than being the executive branch, is a part of the legislative. He is elected from the party which obtains a majority in the elections.

The number of countries that follow the representative form of democracy is testimonial to its effectiveness. Despite this, there are some instruments of a direct democracy which are beneficial to society and to the political structure as a whole, which is why this system has never completely disappeared.

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Direct Democracy versus Representative Democracy. Ancient Athens versus Modern Britain

The impending Brexit caused a massive headache to UK citizens. I know that because my husband suffered a week long one immediately after the referendum! Today Brexit preoccupies most of the daily news. The one piece of news that attracted my attention recently is the existing debate on the value of Direct Democracy vs the value of Parliamentary Democracy. in relation to the Brexit referendum that took place more than 3 years ago. I also noticed that journalists and politicians who engage in these discussions fail to truly understand what political elements Direct Democracy involves. Elements that do not necessarily exist in British society.

In order to clarify how Direct Democracy functions, I would like to go back in history; 2,500 years back. My intention is to revisit Ancient Athens, the cradle of modern democracy. The archetype of Direct Democracy functioned there for several decades before it collapsed. How did the Athenians make it work; albeit for a comparatively short period of time?

The Athenian democracy evolved over several decades. There was no single event that set it off and it certainly did not involve any referendums. During the 450s several constitutional changes had an impact on its final formation. In 457/6 chief magistracy was extended to another class of citizens. At the same time the importance of the chief magistrate ( archon ) was receding in front of the significance of the generals ( strategoi ). The generals were ten and could hold their post for years. Secondly, in 453/2 thirty travelling justices could decide on minor lawsuits.

In 451 Perikles, the famous Athenian politician, put forward a law that limited Athenian citizenship to men who were born of an Athenian mother as well as an Athenian father (Aristotle, Pol ., 26.4). The reason was that the number of citizens was increasing fast. The development of Athens as a hub of economic and political activity attracted many foreigners. These moves may have caused the consternation of the true Athenians who came from old and distinguished families. The law was enforced in 445 when Psammetichus (an Egyptian ruler) sent a gift of grain to Athens to be distributed to its citizens. A check of the Athenian records indicated that 10% of the citizen population were wrongly registered and they were immediately excluded from the distribution of grain (Plutarch, Perikles , 37.4).

During the fifth century BC only Athenian males over 18 years of age and of Athenian descent owned land within the territory of the city. These could vote, they could participate in the government, while they joined the army. Foreigners ( metics ) could be awarded citizenship in exceptional circumstances for their services to the city. In Athens resided also large numbers of slaves, who did not have a right to citizenship. We do not have any information about their overall number but we do know that 20,000 of the slaves who worked in the mines of Lavrion deserted their post, when the Spartans entered Attica in 413 BC. (Thucydides, 27.5). Women and children were also excluded from voting.

But how did the Direct Democracy system work in practice? A Council of Five Hundred citizens prepared the decrees. These were voted by the Assembly, the gathering of all Athenian citizens. There were no political parties, no Labour and no Torys. The Assembly met four times a year, while the Council met daily; apart from the major religious holidays (and there were a LOT of them!) The Council publicised the agenda in advance of the meeting of the Assembly. Decisions were not taken instantly and sometimes the process could last for days. Unsurprisingly not all of the citizens attended the Assembly. The space was restricted and so was personal availability. In order to make things more efficient, citizens divided the state’s work in small boards of ten. None could be appointed in the same board in the future. For the system to work, all citizens should have held some post during their lifetimes. The citizens who did not participate in government or, in fact, voted regularly were considered idiotes (meaning privates/ and idiots).

Evidently, the Athenians understood very well that in order for Direct Democracy to work they needed two essential elements.

The first one was the existence of a large ruling body with executive powers. They preferred to rely on the judgement of a number of generals, instead of an individual archon . And this is why they provided a small salary to thirty traveling judges who would give their judgement across the Athenian territory (a territory that probably was no bigger than London, if we exclude the colonies). And this is why they elected a council of 500 citizens that would oversee the agenda on a daily basis. It looks as if all of the above bodies would supervise the everyday issues as they arose.

Secondly, they understood that Direct Democracy cannot exist without the participation of a vast numbers of citizens. At the height of Athenian power, the citizen body did not exceed a few hundred thousand citizens. All of them were expected to take active part in the decisions of the state. The issues were probably not as complicated as they are today, so the average citizen could provide an educated opinion on the issues at hand. Even if not all of them were present simultaneously at the quarterly assembly, the vast majority of them would have been there at one point or another. Otherwise, they would have been shamed into doing so.

Which brings us to the situation in the UK today. The recent constitutional debate focuses on the merit of Direct Democracy vs Representative Democracy. The majority of the interviews I overheard exalt the virtues of Direct Democracy. Most British people seem to believe that the decisions of the majority who vote directly on issues at hand are more valid than the decisions of their representatives. After all, the representatives are just a handful of people with personal and political agendas that may be in conflict with the interests of the majority.

I will not talk here about the lack of a written constitution in Britain or the fact that only 650 parliamentarians represent more than 60 million of the population. These may cause multiple problems, even though such problems may be offset by the checks and balances of the democratic system. For many citizens it is a no brainer that their personal decision should be more valid than the decision of their elected representatives. And I am one of them. I do not believe that the MP of my constituency always have my best interests at heart. I know enough of party politics to despise the intra-party feuds and the impact they have to the country as a whole. A Direct Democracy that brings decision making to its roots would be ideal, from my perspective.

However, is Direct Democracy achievable in modern Britain? Again, in my view, it would be an untenable situation! In Ancient Athens the population was probably around 300,000 people at the height of the empire. Only 30,000 out of those would have been eligible to vote and get involved in the affairs of the state. How could these numbers compare to the 63,000,000 people living today in Britain, of which 46,000,000 are the electorate? And how many people of these 46 million are actually actively involved in democratic activities, beyond voting every 4-5 years? Certainly, the utopia of a Direct Democratic System in the UK has been brought forward not because it is sustainable but because it serves the distorted logic of some Brexit supporters.

These supporters claim that the 2016 referendum is the manifestation of the democratic will of the British citizens who exerted their democratic rights in a direct way. This is certainly true. They did exert their rights in a direct way but not within a System of Direct Democracy. Instead, they asserted their preference in a system of Representative Democracy. If the same people voted on the matter 4 times a year (as the Ancient Athenians did); if they took the matter in their hands and they negotiated directly with the EU (as the Ancient Athenians would have done); and if they participated in committees that would have prepared the departure of the country from the EU (as the Ancient Athenians would have done); then, they would have been able to claim that the results of their Direct Democracy should be upheld.

The likelihood of the above, though, is slim. I do not keep my hopes high that the British people will become so interested in politics that they will get personally involved in state decisions. Until then, I would suggest that they listen critically to the debates surrounding them, so that they do not get fooled into taking any decisions against the interests of their country.

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Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy

Table of contents, key differences, comparison chart, decision-making, participation, representative selection, compare with definitions, direct democracy, representative democracy, common curiosities, what is direct democracy, how do citizens participate in a direct democracy, what are the main benefits of representative democracy, what are the challenges of direct democracy, can a large nation implement direct democracy for local decisions, what role do political parties play in representative democracies, does direct democracy ensure better alignment with public opinion, can direct democracy work in large countries, is representative democracy less democratic than direct democracy, how do representatives get chosen in a representative democracy, how are conflicts resolved in a direct democracy, how does representative democracy work, what mechanisms ensure accountability in representative democracies, how do citizens ensure their representatives act in their interest, can technology enhance direct democracy in large populations, share your discovery.

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Representative democracy, or indirect democracy , refers to the election of officials/lawmakers to represent the views of the electorate in parliament. In the UK, we elect our MPs, our MEPs, our local councillors, and in some parts of the country a Mayor (e.g. London). Whilst there are clear benefits to having a system of representative democracy in the UK, there are two key problems. Firstly, the UK’s electoral system doesn’t always ensure that everyone is properly represented. Secondly, once in power, there is no guarantee that our elected representatives will actually make policies or legislate in a way that is satisfactory to most of the electorate. Both of these issues will be discussed below.

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Representative Vs Direct Democracy - Essay & Essay Plan

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Democracy Essay Q: The benefits of direct democracy are far superior to those for representative democracy Democracy is defined as 'rule by the people' and is based in two core principles: political participation and political equality. The two main types of democracy are direct democracy and representative democracy. In a direct democracy people are directly involved in voting and debating legislation and executive decisions. Whereas in a representative democracy people vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf. This essay will discuss both the benefits of direct democracy and representative democracy and explain why one is more superior than the other In a direct democracy, everyone is directly involved in making decision for the country. An example of this today is Switzerland, where direct democracy is used, and people can frequently vote on decisions that influence everyday life. However, this form of democracy would be impractical on a large scale. This is because the number of people that need to vote so often is in the millions so the entire process of decision making would slow down, as all the votes would need to be counted and people would have to go out and vote which takes a fair amount of time. In Switzerland only 40% of people vote, showing direct democracy doesn't fully work in...

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Alternative transcript:.

the countries that do use it, and Switzerland isn't even that big so it would be extremely hard to implement on such a large scale as it would be harder to get people to go and vote. In the UK, for example, 33% of the electorate did not vote in the 2019 general election, showing people over here don't want to vote every 4 or 5 years meaning that if opportunities to vote increased a lot of the voting population wouldn't use the chance to vote as they can't be bothered to do so. However, in a representative democracy people can vote for people who they want to make decisions for them. This is used in most countries around the world. It also allows everyone's views to be considered in a way that is much more practical for modern society. For example, Schumpeter believed representative democracy to be a credible solution to the problem of people have not enough time to continuously engage in complex political debates. Therefore, people may be more likely to vote as they don't have to do it as frequently and have someone to do it for them. Representative democracy is superior to direct democracy in this regard as it is far more practical in a modern society as it would have to be far more large scale which just isn't really possible in direct democracy. To ask people to vote frequently is impractical and leads to less people turning out meaning the results of any decisions made don't truly reflect the wishes of the majority of the population. Every decision in a direct democracy should be voted on by everyone meaning that they should be educated on complex issues to ensure the right decision is made. As a result of this citizens should be more knowledgeable which is a benefit for any society. However, it can be argued that many don't actually know what they're voting for and don't take the time to educate themselves which could lead to the wrong decisions being made. For example, Plato thought the 'masses' were incapable of making important decisions as they could easily be influenced by others around them. In a representative democracy the people who are making the decisions are far more knowledgeable as they are politicians, and it is their job to know what they're making decisions about. Representative democracy allows the those with greater experience, knowledge, and education to be in power which should in turn lead to better decision making. For example, Socrates believed that the majority of the people, because they were uneducated and unskilled, would always get it wrong. They thought government was a skill and should be entrusted only to the skilled and intelligent. therefore, representative democracy is superior to direct democracy. Even though in direct democracy people are directly involved in decision making, in representative democracy politicians are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people. As a result, this should lead to the correct decisions being made as politicians are professionals and should have the expert knowledge to make the right decisions. In a direct democracy the majority rules. This leads to the minority always being excluded and never getting a say in what decisions should be made. This can leave them vulnerable and at the hands of the majority. In March 2021, Switzerland voted in favour, 51.2% to 48.8% of banning face coverings, including the burka and the niqab won by Muslim women. In Switzerland only about 5% of the population is Muslim and only around 30 women wear a niqab meaning few people were affected by this decision, but it is still a massive infringement on the right to religious expression and freedom. Locke argued makes it too easy for the majority to impose laws on a minority that the minority would not consent to. He therefore argued that government is a "necessary evil" to protect self-serving individuals from one another. This ensures that people have some voice in creating the legislation that applies to them. In a representative democracy the minority should be more protected. This is because representatives are there to ensure the minorities voices are still heard and that decisions that are made can still benefit them as well as the majority of people. Tocqueville argued that democracy had some unfavourable consequences: the tyranny of the majority over thought, a preoccupation with material goods, and isolated individuals. Representative democracy is superior to direct democracy. This is because in a direct democracy even though everyone gets a vote, the minority never get the decision they want to be made meaning they're never really happy. However, in a representative democracy those who are there to represent the views of the people can take into account the views of the minority and can represent them alongside the views of the majority. Corruption would exist in both representative and direct democracy, but it could be argued it would be more influential in direct democracy as the common people may be more easily swayed to one decision. If people were keen for a decision to be made they could bride others to vote a specific way and people are often motivated by money rather than wanting to make the correct decision. Tocqueville argued that people are preoccupied with material goods so they may be easily bribed in order to buy things. In a representative democracy it has been argued that self-serving politicians are given too much power to act in ways to only benefit their own interests rather than the interests of the people who put them in power. For example, in October 2021 Owen Paterson, a former Conservative Cabinet Minister, was found to have breached paid advocacy rules. The former Environment Secretary helped lobby for two firms he was paid to advise. The investigation found that he had used his parliamentary office on at least 16 occasions for business meetings with his clients and sent two letters relating to his business interests on taxpayer-funded Commons- headed notepaper. The official report recommended Paterson be suspended from parliament for 30 days but fellow Conservative MPs refused the measure and organised a vote to overthrow the process of regulating parliamentary standards. Even though corruption would exist in both direct and representative democracy, it could be said representative democracy is superior to direct democracy. This is because representatives may be less likely to accept bribes given to them compared to regular citizens. If it came out that a representative had accepted a bribe it could be that citizens would be less likely to vote for them in the next election meaning they would lose their jobs. • Therefore, detery them In conclusion, representative democracy is superior to direct democracy. This is due to it being much easier for regular citizens to participate in the political process as they can elect a representative to make decisions on their behalf. However, in a direct democracy you can make decisions for yourself but it would be a lot harder as voting happens much more frequently and it would be extremely hard to educate yourself on every issue that has to be voted on. In a representative democracy the minorities view can still be protected as their representative has an obligation to still hear them and try to make their ideas come to light. Whereas in a direct democracy the majority always wins and the minority never get a say meaning they can never win. Overall, the benefits of representative democracy are far superior to those of direct democracy. from dring democracy essay plan. Introduction Democracy is defined as rule by the people' Based 2 on core principles: political participation & equality types -direct & representative Direct - people directly involved in voting on 2 main legislation Rep - people vote for reps to make decisions on their behalf This essay will discuss ... Decision Making DD - Everyone is directly involved in decision making - Switzerland -people frequently vote on decisions influencing every day life. -This would be impractical - No. of people voting on a large scale is in the millions which would slow down -all votes need to counted and voters need to turnout which takes tome - Only 40% vote in Switz, doesn't fully work in countries that do use it - Swite expon't too by showing it would be hard to implement on large scale - In UK 33% did not vote in 2019 GE-people here don't want to vote 4 6 every years - If oppurtunities increased, most of the voting population would not bother RD - People vote for the reps they for them want to make deasions. -Allows for everyone's views to be considered. way more practical for -Schumpeter- RD is a modern society credible solution to the problem of people not having enough time to continuously engage complex political debate in a People be more may likely to vote as it is less and they have someone who can do it for -RD is superior to DD bl -more practical on large scale. the - low turnout does not represent the true wishes of Knowledge about Politics DDI - Citizens should be educated on popul. complex osues to ensure the right decision is made. -Citizens should be more. which is a - But knowledgeable as a result benefit for society of a whole many don't take the time for this & don't really know what they're voting for which could lead to the wrong decisions being made - Plato - thought the masses were incapable of making important decisions as they could easily be influenced by those around them. RD - People making decisions are more knowledgeable as they are politicians in -Those with greater experience, knowledge and education are my power which should lead to better decision making -Socrates - believed the majority would always get it wrong -being in the govt was a skill and should, therefore, only be entrusted to the skilled & inteligent. -RD is superior to DD - Politicians elected on electorate's behalf - Politicians are professionals and should be able to make the greater knowledge correct decision based on their SH Moority Majority over DD - Majority always • wms in a DO - Minorities views are excluded and they on the decision made-vulnerable never get a say -March 2011-Switz voted 51.2% to 48.8% in favour of face coverings (including Birka & Nigul Worn -~51 of Switz is muslim & by Muslim women, niqab only La not many were affected, but it's sall a huge violation of the right of religious expression & freedom. - Locke - it makes it too easy for the majority to impose minority that the minority did not consent to RD - The minority should be protected laws on a - Keps are there to ensure minorities are heard and decisions. made can benefit them as well as the majority is superior to DD RO ~30 women wear a - even though everyone gets a vote in a DD, the minority never get the decision they want so are never Those who represent can represent the minority truly happy as the majority well as un a Corruption Would exist in both but be may more influential rather than morally DD - Common people may be more easily swayed -If someone is keen for a decision, they could bribe others to vote they want to win. - People are often motivated by money. wanting the right deciorn to be made - Tocqueville - argued people are preoccupied with material goods be easily bribed in order to buy things. RD-Has been argued that self-serving politicians have been k may given too much power to act in ways to benefit themselves rather than those who put them in power EVENPT DD 1 -Owen Poderson (October 2021) former Cons cabinet muruster, was found to have breached paid aduocacy rules - Investigation found he had used his for meetings at least 16 times office b had sent 2 letters about hus business interests. on taxpayer-funded Commons-headed notepaper - Report recommended he be suspended for 30 days but fellow Tory MPs refused and organized a vele to overthrow process of roulabay parlamentary standards •RD is superior to PD - less likely to accept bribes compared to regular citizens. - If it became public a rep had accepted a bribe, warens would be less likely to vote for them in the next election so they could lose their jobs. ↳ This deters politicians from taking brukes.

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