Year 10 - Citizenship
Is direct democracy better than representative democracy?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils develop their knowledge of democracy and the different types of democracy considering the strengths and weaknesses of the UK system.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to recognise what direct and representative democracy are and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Key Notes
- A direct democracy is where people decide on the policy directly, with Switzerland being an example.
- A representative democracy is a system where citizens elect others to represent them, with the UK being an example.
- There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of democracy.
Vocabulary To Learn
- direct democracy: a type of democracy where the people decide on the policy directly, for example, through a vote or referendum on each issue
- representative democracy: a type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them in making important decisions on their behalf
- 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
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A country just uses direct democracy.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
A direct democracy is where people decide on the policy directly, with Switzerland being an example. A representative democracy is a system where citizens elect others to represent them, with the UK being an example.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'direct democracy'
a type of democracy where the people decide on the policy directly, for example, through a vote or referendum on each issue.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: A country just uses direct democracy. Correction: Direct democracy can be used on its own or with other forms of democracy, such as representative democracy.
More Lessons In This Unit
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