v Government Systems and Political Ideologies
Direct Democracy
Introduction

To find out what direct democracy means, one must first understand what democracy is. So let’s find out what democracy is all about! Democracy basically means The People’s Rule. It first came about in the 5th Century B.C in the country Athens. There are different Democratic forms in today’s world; parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, multiparty democracy and direct democracy or non-party democracies.

Now that we know more about democracy, we can understand what direct democracy is all about! Direct democracy means that the people are the “ministers” This means that they get to vote for the passing of laws instead of voting for a government to decide whether to pass these laws for them.

Features

An example of direct democracy is Nauru which has a Parliament. 18 officials are elected for a three-year term. However, they can be removed with votes from the people called a vote of no confidence. Then, a President is elected from the 18 officials but can also be removed by a vote of no confidence. The President then elects 4-5 ministers from the officials to take charge of the Parliament but can also be dismissed by a vote of no confidence.

Another country that practices direct democracy is Switzerland. Their system of direct democracy is very special because they have a system that should 100 thousand citizens’ sign a form for a certain new initiative, the government would have to take that initiative to consideration. If a new law is passed and 50 thousand people call for a vote on the issue, a vote would have to be held.

Bundeshaus in Bern, House of Swiss Parliament

Pros and Cons

It is good that they get to vote for the passing of laws as it confirms that the power to make decisions stay with the people and not the Government. It is also good as it also allow the people to control which direction the country is heading towards.

However, the Government and the Media would have propaganda to make the people vote to the Government’s advantage and thus the country would not be as united because it is like the Government versus the people. As many initiatives needed time to pass through, it could take quite a long time to get through the voting, sometimes, causing internal conflicts if the interests of both parties are not met.

Countries which have democracy are usually 1st or 2nd world countries l. Therefore, countries adopting direct democracy would also mostly be either 1st or 2nd world countries. Thus, these countries would also have a relatively high level of Education as can be seen from the high literacy rate and the percentage of people that have attended university.

References

Direct Democracy UK. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.direct-democracy.co.uk/.

Mcconnachie , A. (n.d.). DIRECT DEMOCRACY. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/articles/dirdemoc.html.

New Earth Media (2003). The Book Of Rule : How The World is     Governed. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley Limited .

Switzerland's System of Direct Democracy. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://direct-democracy.geschichte-schweiz.ch/.

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A to Z government systems

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable whichmeans that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups

A system where a Government is unnecessary and undesirable which means that everything is based on voluntary cooperation by individuals and groups
One person who has absolute rule over a country or a state and is usually hereditary or they claim as being given divine right with or without advisors.
A system combining Anarchism and capitalism
A system where there is no State or capitalism
A system combing Anarchism and savagery where savagery means acceptance comes easily.
A system where there are no hierarchies such as political or economic hierarchies.
A system where labour is emphasized and thus it has trade unions that replace the State
A system where there is more democratic decision-making
A government with only a few people who are thought to be best qualified.
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
A concentration of power in a leader who is not constitutionally responsible to the people
A one person government.
A system that is ruled by enlightened monarchs.
A system that is suitable for Islams as this system represents the political unity of the Muslims
A system that combines republic and capitalism together.
A system where the health of the community is the first priority
A system where there is no such thing as a private property because the goods are owned by the government and is available to anyone if needed
A system where many opinions are taken into consideration before making decisions
The system of Constitutional Monarchy has a Head of State that does not change as the governments change and a Government. Only the elected Officials can pass laws, the Head of State acts as an advisor to the Officials.
Leaders are elected by the people but the leaders have a limited power over the people and must go according to constitutional laws
A system where there are civic assemblies which represents the country's economic, social, industry and cultural aspects
A system where the making of laws must arise from the public if not the law cannot be approved.
A system where there is democratic representations in a country without the use of elections.
A democratic republic is a country where there is freedom of speech, election and press.
A system where two rulers have equal shared absolute power over the country
Government organization or group in with unlimited power
A true democratic system where the people elect their leaders
System where ruler with absolute power over the country.
A system similar to that of tyranny where all is controlled by one man.
A system ruled by dukes or duchesses
A system combining Anarchism but with saving the environment as their first priority.
A monarchy whose ruler is elected by the people.
A monarchy that is Arab-suited
A system that concentrates on the society's welfare as a whole and thus seeks patriotism.
A system used by the medieval age where warriors and nobility rule.
A system where the oldest are the leaders
A system ruled by grand dukes or grand duchesses
A system where the power lies with the loser level of government such as the name suggests, grassroots
A system for the Jews because non-Jews would not be granted full citizenship.
A monarchy where the kingship is passed to the sons when the father dies.
A system with the Pope as its leader.
A system where the people elect their leaders but the leaders have the freedom to do what they want.
A system combining democracy with a religion, Islam
A name that is given to many Muslim countries
Government by those who want power and personal gain.
A system where judges rule and rules by natural rights
A system where judges rule but based on the judges opinions
A system where the people elect the leaders to make decisions for them.
A system which emphasizes on liberty, freedom for the people.
A system where absolute power is given to magicians and wizards
A government where females rule.
Government by those with talent.
A system where military force is used to establish freedom and liberty.
A military-based government that has absolute rule over the country
A system combining oligarchy, democracy and monarchy.
A democratic system where there are no government parties.
A small group which makes up the government which is usually corrupted and do things for their own sake.
Government by the majority.
A system where the people are allowed to coose whatever government system they want.
A system similar to the parliamentary system except that the head of state does not have that much power.
A system where the parliament checks on the executive branch of the government
A system where voting is limited and where politicians take care of the governing of the country
A system where the people vote on the legislation and executive bills instead of electing leaders to do it for them.
Timocracy, Government controlled by the rich.
A state where government uses police by means to control the life of the citizens.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is linked to the people.
A system where the executive branch is independent of the legislative branch.
A monarchy where the monarch's title is prince
A system combining democracy and religion
A system where the government is elected by the people and the government has the responsibility in acting in people's interest.
A system where there is restricted democracy
A system where robots rule
One person who proclaims himself as king which would usually lead to hereditary monarchy.
A system similar to that of a presidential system except for the fact that the president and prime minister gets involved in everyday decision-making.
A system where there is only 1 government party running the country and no other party is allowed to enter for elections.
A system combining socialism and democracy
A system that emphasizes on socialism that also has aspects of free market in its economy.
A democratic system where workers are represented in government too.
A system where the rulers are those highly-skilled and qualified.
Maritime (relating to navigation or commerce on the sea) government
Government of a state by divine rule, usually by people who are guided by the deities
Government of a state by God.
A democratic system where the leader is elected but has absolute rule.
Absolute state which the people must follow orders from.
Tribalism existed during the time of primitive men. Thus, it has a sense of primitive in it. However, it also emphasizes on communism and equality.
A government ruled by an oppressive and severely unjust ruler.
A system with administrative divisions governed by a person who is governed by the viceroy.
A system combining democracy and parliamentary system which is somewhat similar to the United nations is adopting
 
Quiz Time

When did democracy first start?



5th century B.C
6th century B.C

What does direct democracy mean?





What is another way of saying direct-democracy?