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

What is direct democracy?

Citizenship

What roles can citizens play in policy shaping?

Can citizens play a bigger role in select committees?

Should environmental issues be decided by referendum?

Should moral decisions be decided by referendum?

Should political problems be solved by a referendum?

Should the UK involve citizens more directly in democracy?

Through a series of case studies from across the globe pupils explore different methods of direct democracy and consider how UK citizens can play a part in shaping national policy.

How can politicians involve citizens in direct decision making?

citizens elect representatives to make decisions

the Government decides without public input

What is the best definition of direct democracy?

in some states, citizens can start a citizens' initative

Match each country to how it uses direct democracy.

A {{}} is a type of direct democracy where citizens vote on a single political issue.

citizens have an idea to propose a constitutional change

citizens receive 100,000 valid signatures

Put the steps of a popular initiative in Switzerland into the correct order.

Some democracies use both direct and representative methods.

All democracies use direct democracy all the time.

No democracy uses referendums as they are not democratic.

Only Switzerland is a democracy that uses direct methods.

Which of the following is true about democracies?

It allows citizens to be directly involved.

It does not allow citizens to have a say in decisions.

Which of the following is a weakness of direct democracy?

Which of the following is a key feature of a democratic system?

the level of democracy and freedoms in a country

Yes, they all follow the same rules and processes.

Yes, they all use the same political parties.

No, different countries have different ways of organising government.

Are all democracies across the world the same?

the President is Head of State and Government

Match the term to its correct description.

In a {{}} country, the people have the power to participate in decision-making, either directly or through elected representatives.

laws are applied equally to all individuals, including those in power

laws change regularly based on the preferences of the ruling party

citizens cannot challenge laws in the courts

Which of the following is a democratic feature?

What is direct democracy?

Lesson outcome