Is direct democracy better than representative democracy?
I can recognise what direct and representative democracy are and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Is direct democracy better than representative democracy?
I can recognise what direct and representative democracy are and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning 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.
- There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of democracy.
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
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 misconception
A country just uses direct democracy.
Direct democracy can be used on its own or with other forms of democracy, such as representative democracy.
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Is direct democracy better than representative democracy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Is direct democracy better than representative democracy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
voting in a general election
referendum
decisions may be more acceptable to the population
costly and time-consuming
may encourage political engagement
sometimes generates an emotional, not a rational, response