Democracy: Key Features and Types Explored
What do you think are the key features of
a democracy?
Simply Put Democracy is ‘Government by the people’ and is derived from the Greek
word ‘demos’ meaning ‘the people’ or ‘the many’ and ‘cracy’ from ‘kratos’ which
means ‘rule’ or ‘power’.
•
Today we might give this definition of democracy:
Political systems that are organised on the basis that government should serve the
interests of the people.
In liberal democracies it is also expected that citizens should influence decisions or make
decisions themselves.
It is also expected that government should be
accountabl
e in various ways to the people.
Question:
Which do you think are the most democratic countries in the world?
Direct Democracy
•
Individuals express opinions themselves
•
Citizens are active in decision making
•
Started in Ancient Greece – Athens. Still used in
Switzerland today
•
Examples of direct democracy today in the UK?
What is representative democracy?
•
Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on
their behalf
•
All adult citizens have the right to vote for
representatives
•
Citizens pass their authority to their
representatives
•
Elections are fair and representative
Question: Who represents you?
Flying Start Quiz
•
Complete the Quiz
•
Swap sheets with someone else
•
Add corrections/ points to your friends work in
green
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of Direct democracy?
Watch this video on how democracy worked in
Athens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fivQUlC7-8
Make notes on:
•
The key features of this type of democracy (how it
worked in Athens)
•
Advantages
•
Disadvantages
Direct democracy today
Watch this video on the Swiss system of direct
democracy:
•
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Ei50c2c1I
Make notes on:
•
The key features (how it works)
•
Advantages
•
Disadvantages
Complete Worksheet on Swiss Direct
Democracy
Representative Democracy:
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
:
An indirect and limited form of
democracy where the people
vote for a representative who
then speaks on behalf of
his/her constituents.
The representative can be re-
elected or removed during
elections.
.
Some conditions for representative
democracies could be said to be:
Overall
….....
•
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbN9kx6YHQ
Q
•
Homework: Find an article in the news about the
state of democracy in the world today…
•
Print pages 5-7 on direct democracy in
Switzerland
Explore the concept of democracy, its key features, types like direct and representative democracy, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each form. Discover examples from Ancient Greece to modern systems in Switzerland and the UK, providing insights into how citizens can engage in decision-making processes. Gain a comprehensive understanding of democratic principles and systems through various resources shared.
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Presentation Transcript
What is democracy? https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=u6jgWxkbR7A
What do you think are the key features of a democracy? Simply Put Democracy is Government by the people and is derived from the Greek word demos meaning the people or the many and cracy from kratos which means rule or power . Today we might give this definition of democracy: Political systems that are organised on the basis that government should serve the interests of the people. In liberal democracies it is also expected that citizens should influence decisions or make decisions themselves. It is also expected that government should be accountable in various ways to the people. Question: Which do you think are the most democratic countries in the world? https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2018 https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index
Direct Democracy Individuals express opinions themselves Citizens are active in decision making Started in Ancient Greece Athens. Still used in Switzerland today Examples of direct democracy today in the UK?
What is representative democracy? Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf All adult citizens have the right to vote for representatives Citizens pass their authority to their representatives Elections are fair and representative Question: Who represents you?
Flying Start Quiz Complete the Quiz Swap sheets with someone else Add corrections/ points to your friends work in green
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Direct democracy? Watch this video on how democracy worked in Athens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fivQUlC7-8 Make notes on: The key features of this type of democracy (how it worked in Athens) Advantages Disadvantages
Direct democracy today Watch this video on the Swiss system of direct democracy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Ei50c2c1I Make notes on: The key features (how it works) Advantages Disadvantages
Complete Worksheet on Swiss Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy: REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: An indirect and limited form of democracy where the people vote for a representative who then speaks on behalf of his/her constituents. The representative can be re- elected or removed during elections. .
Some conditions for representative democracies could be said to be: All adults have the right to vote Secret ballot Free media Choice of candidates Fair elections - each vote should count equally Regular elections Fairness between parties (e.g. in funding, media time etc)
Overall..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbN9kx6YHQ Q Homework: Find an article in the news about the state of democracy in the world today
Print pages 5-7 on direct democracy in Switzerland
