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Year 9

What are direct and representative democracies?

I can explain what representative and direct democracies are and some of the key differences between them.

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New
New
Year 9

What are direct and representative democracies?

I can explain what representative and direct democracies are and some of the key differences between them.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Link copied to clipboard

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Direct democracy is where citizens decide on policy directly, for example, through a referendum on each issue.
  2. Representative democracy is where citizens choose others to represent them to make important decisions on their behalf.
  3. Some countries may not be a full direct democracy but may use elements of this system, e.g., by holding referendums.

Keywords

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

  • Referendum - 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

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

Common misconception

Representative democracies take away the choices of citizens because the representatives make all the decisions on their behalf.

In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, but they can also influence policies through voting in elections, contacting their representatives and sometimes even through referendums.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What are direct and representative democracies?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Bring this to life by asking pupils to create a mock referendum on a local issue, such as school rules, community projects or environmental policies. This may help pupils practise framing a referendum question and understand how direct and representative democracy work in practice.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A is the group of people who have the authority to govern a country or state.
Correct Answer: government
Q2.
Order these types of government according to the amount of authority they have, from smallest to largest.
1 - local government (town, city, county or borough council)
2 - devolved regional governments
3 - central government
Q3.
Which is the most accurate definition of democracy?
a system where power is held by one leader with no elections
Correct answer: a system of government where citizens elect leaders to represent them
a system where a monarch makes all decisions without consultation
Q4.
Which branch of the UK Government does this building represent?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: legislative
executive
judicial
Q5.
Is democracy present in every country's political system?
Yes, all countries are fully democratic.
No, but all countries have democracy in some form.
Yes, but some countries let fewer people vote.
Correct answer: No, some countries are fully or partially democratic, and some are not.
Q6.
Match the type of government to the features that may be present within it.
Correct Answer:full democracy,fair elections and strong freedoms

fair elections and strong freedoms

Correct Answer:flawed democracy,elections and freedoms, could be division or some media control

elections and freedoms, could be division or some media control

Correct Answer:hybrid regime,elections happen, media control, some limits on freedoms

elections happen, media control, some limits on freedoms

Correct Answer:authoritarian regime,government has total control

government has total control

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:referendum,public vote on single political issue, often used in direct democracy

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

Correct Answer:direct democracy,a type of democracy where citizens vote on policies directly

a type of democracy where citizens vote on policies directly

Correct Answer:representative democracy,citizens elect others to make decisions on their behalf

citizens elect others to make decisions on their behalf

Q2.
Which one of these is an example of direct democracy?
a general election where citizens vote for a new government
Correct answer: 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
Q3.
Order the steps in how a representative democracy works.
1 - Citizens first elect representatives to represent their needs and interests.
2 - Representatives discuss with the public and experts about new policies and laws.
3 - Representatives then vote on whether to implement the new law or policy.
4 - The Government carries out whichever decision is made.
5 - Citizens vote in elections when it is time to choose new representatives.
Q4.
Which statement best explains citizen influence in a representative democracy?
Correct answer: 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.
Q5.
Some representative democracies use votes, or , for major decisions.
Correct Answer: referendums
Q6.
Complete the sentences by matching the stem of the sentence to the correct phrase.
Correct Answer:Direct democracy,originated in Ancient Greece.

originated in Ancient Greece.

Correct Answer:Representative democracy,originated in Ancient Rome.

originated in Ancient Rome.

Correct Answer:Switzerland is,an example of a modern day direct democracy.

an example of a modern day direct democracy.

Correct Answer:The United Kingdom is,an example of a modern day representative democracy.

an example of a modern day representative democracy.