limitation of direct democracy
Answers
Answer:
In direct democracy, people decide on policies without any intermediary. Depending on the particular system in use, direct democracy might entail passing executive decisions, the use of sortition, making laws, directly electing or dismissing officials, and conducting trials.
Explanation:
List of the Disadvantages of a Direct Democracy
1. The cost of a direct democracy must be taken into consideration.
People must take time out of their day to participate in direct democracy activities. When you consider the size of a canton in Switzerland, then you’re comparing the population to that of an average-sized community in the United States. If a country as large as the U.S. were to implement this system, the cost of lost productivity would be enormous. During the average election day, over $500 million is lost to accommodate voting rights.
When you add the cost of ballots, counting, and distribution of information, each referendum could cost $2 billion or more. That would likely limit the number of meetings each month to one, limiting the amount of work that could be accomplished.
2. The issues that are up for discussion are for local impacts.
The annual gathering for a direct democracy in Glarus dates to 1387. These assemblies helped to create the current Swiss system where almost (but not all) every policy gets reviewed by voters before receiving permission for implementation. When Reuters reviewed this system in 2012, there were 6,000 people gathered in a public square to vote in issues that included a reintroduction of free burials, banning attack dogs, and whether the local transportation budget needed to be raised.When people have a direct say over how their taxes are spent, it can lead to cost-efficient services, less tax evasion, and fewer public debts. It can also avoid the critical issues that would be managed under other forms of democracy.
3. There is still a threat of vote manipulation to consider with a direct democracy.
Each election faces the chance of having those with higher socioeconomic standing gaining more influence over those who control lesser resources. In direct democracy structures, every decision is up for debate. That means there are many more opportunities for lobbying groups to be directly involved in the voting process. These special interests could even manipulate how voters see policy information during its release.
We must recognize the complexity of so many problems in today’s society. This disadvantage leads to a remarkably high level of possible influence that minority groups may never be fully protected.
4. Each voter must be fully informed of the matters that are up for a vote.
There is always the chance that voters could vote for an undesirable resolution that succeeds because there is a lack of information available to evaluate the idea. A government using the direct democracy approach must have a self-disciplined population that understands the impact of current events.
There are times when voters in the minority must swallow their pride if a vote doesn’t go their way. It is the only way that a direct democracy continues to get word done. This disadvantage can eventually cause some people to give up because they feel like their voice is never heard.
5. There must be a high level of participation for direct democracy actions to be effective.
The total population of the canton of Glarus in Switzerland was about 40,000 people as of December 2017. When 6,000 people show up to hold their parliamentary debate and issue votes, then there is a participation rate of 15% achieved. Representative democracies can experience triple the number of voters going to the polls. Communities in the United States that practice this form of governing experience a similar disadvantage. Unless there is a willingness of a clear majority to participate in these activities, a small minority of the people will dictate how everyone lives.
6. Direct democracies don’t have a way to make fast decisions.
When representatives are elected to create policy and make decisions, then the centralized processes make it faster and easier to implement the work that needs to be done. The country or community can respond to emergencies faster, defend themselves against attack, and manage the daily needs of life comfortably. Direct democracy requires individual participation for everything.
That means every decision must go to the people for a vote. That includes sending money to people in need or authorizing military use. By the time a final tally becomes possible, it could be too late to do anything about what is going on.
7. The majority isn’t obligated to protect the rights of the minority.
Direct democracies base their decisions on the vote of the general public. That means their will is what becomes the basis of every outcome. In a 2017 episode of The Orville, a societal vote determines the outcome of one of the characters when his behavior is deemed inappropriate by law enforcement. If the vote reaches a majority level, then the character would receive the corrective action.