a type of democracy where the people decide on the policy directly, for example, through a vote or referendum on each issue

a general vote by the electorate on a single political issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision; it is a form of direct democracy

a type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them in making important decisions on their behalf

What are direct and representative democracies?

Citizenship

Pupils explore the difference between local, regional and national governance and compare the political systems in the UK and US.

How is the UK governed?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

public vote on single political issue, often used in direct democracy

a type of democracy where citizens vote on policies directly

citizens elect others to make decisions on their behalf

Match the words to their correct definitions.

a general election where citizens vote for a new government

a public vote on whether a country should change its voting system

a government minister making a decision after consulting experts

a town council approving a new budget without asking the public

Which one of these is an example of direct democracy?

Citizens first elect representatives to represent their needs and interests.

Representatives discuss with the public and experts about new policies and laws.

Representatives then vote on whether to implement the new law or policy.

The Government carries out whichever decision is made.

Citizens vote in elections when it is time to choose new representatives.

Order the steps in how a representative democracy works.

Citizens influence decisions by voting, contacting representatives, referendums.

Representatives always make decisions without considering public opinion.

Citizens can tell their representatives what they must do.

Citizens do not have any influence once representatives are elected.

Which statement best explains citizen influence in a representative democracy?

Some representative democracies use votes, or {{}}, for major decisions.

an example of a modern day direct democracy.

an example of a modern day representative democracy.

Complete the sentences by matching the stem of the sentence to the correct phrase.

A {{}} is the group of people who have the authority to govern a country or state.

local government (town, city, county or borough council)

Order these types of government according to the amount of authority they have, from smallest to largest.

a system where power is held by one leader with no elections

a system of government where citizens elect leaders to represent them

a system where a monarch makes all decisions without consultation

Which is the most accurate definition of democracy?

Which branch of the UK Government does this building represent?

No, but all countries have democracy in some form.

Yes, but some countries let fewer people vote.

No, some countries are fully or partially democratic, and some are not.

Is democracy present in every country's political system?

elections and freedoms, could be division or some media control

elections happen, media control, some limits on freedoms

Match the type of government to the features that may be present within it.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

What are direct and representative democracies?

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.