Direct Democracy


	Direct Democracy
	Advantages Enchancing 'citizenship' by people taking responsibility for decisions that affect them Educates people in the complexity and problems of key issues (e.g. AV 2011 - electoral systems) Referenda outcomes, often descibed as advisory, in reality they are usually implemented 'Purest form' of democracy, nobody interpreting views Stops cynicism about government	Disadvantages Time consuming and impractical today - only used in limited capacity for modern states Phrasing and timing of a question can manipulate results Electorate can be unduly influenced by orators, media (Rupert Murdoch) or money (e.g. USA 'citizen initiatives' sponsored by pressure groups/businesses) If politicians don't like outcome, they can ignore the answer, or call another to get the 'right' answer (e.g. Ireland on Lisbon Treaty) Wishes of minorities trampled by majority (e.g. women not getting the vote until 1971 in Switzerland) Potential to leave decision making in the hands of those least equpped to do so
	Evaluation

Enchancing 'citizenship' by people taking responsibility for decisions that affect them
Educates people in the complexity and problems of key issues (e.g. AV 2011 - electoral systems)
Referenda outcomes, often descibed as advisory, in reality they are usually implemented
'Purest form' of democracy, nobody interpreting views
Stops cynicism about government

Time consuming and impractical today - only used in limited capacity for modern states
Phrasing and timing of a question can manipulate results
Electorate can be unduly influenced by orators, media (Rupert Murdoch) or money (e.g. USA 'citizen initiatives' sponsored by pressure groups/businesses)
If politicians don't like outcome, they can ignore the answer, or call another to get the 'right' answer (e.g. Ireland on Lisbon Treaty)
Wishes of minorities trampled by majority (e.g. women not getting the vote until 1971 in Switzerland)
Potential to leave decision making in the hands of those least equpped to do so

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