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Year 10

Is direct democracy better?

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Year 10

Is direct democracy better?

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will learn about the difference between direct and representative democracy and we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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Starter quiz

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7 Questions

Q1.
From which language does the word democracy originate?
Correct answer: Greek
Latin
Spanish
Q2.
What does democracy mean?
Correct answer: A system of government in which power is vested in the people and ‘ruled by the people’ either directly or indirectly through elected representatives.
A system of government where the rich and famous hold all the power.
A system where there is centralised control by the government.
Q3.
Which statement most closely outlines the aim of democracy?
To allow absolute power in the hands of the monarch.
Correct answer: To ensure human dignity, freedom, equality and justice.
To prevent some people from voting.
Q4.
Absolute power, centralised control, lack of human rights and state-controlled media are all features of a democracy.
Correct answer: False
True
Q5.
Why does a democracy require free and fair elections?
Correct answer: To ensure public confidence and trust in the process.
To predict the outcome.
To promote a single issue that affects society.
Q6.
Which country has a full democracy? (hint: think about the top 5 listed in the democracy index)
China
North Korea
Correct answer: Norway
UK
Q7.
Who said “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”.
Barak Obama
Boris Johnson
Correct answer: Winston Churchill

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is direct democracy?
Correct answer: A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.
A form of democracy in which people discuss social issues.
A form of democracy where people join a political party.
Q2.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that elected representatives could not decide the will of the people the citizens should make those decisions directly.
False
Correct answer: True
Q3.
In Switzerland referendums are held at least:
Every five years
Correct answer: Four times a year
Once every 20 years
Q4.
One advantage of direct democracy is:
It can lead to voter apathy.
It leads to divisions within society.
Correct answer: It prevents a concentration of power as power is dispersed widely amongst the citizens.
Q5.
One disadvantage of direct democracy is:
Correct answer: It sometimes generates an emotional, rather than a rational, response from citizens.
People may become more politically engaged.
People may feel encouraged to learn more about politics.
Q6.
Which landmark decision was decided by a UK wide referendum?
The new Prime Minister in 2019
The suspension of Parliament in 2020
Correct answer: The UK's exit from the European Union in 2016