Difference between Direct Democracy and Indirect Democracy

The main difference between Direct Democracy and Indirect Democracy is that Direct Democracy where people vote or choose directly on the laws or issues that are proposed. Indirect democracy where the people elect representatives who vote the laws on behalf of the people.

Direct democracy versus indirect democracy

Direct democracy evokes the system in which people have the right to participate in the decision-making process. On the contrary , indirect democracy affirms a democracy in which citizens elect their representative, to actively participate in the management of the government and act on their behalf. In a direct democracy, the people vote directly on whether a law will be passed. But in indirect democracy, the people only elect the representatives who will then make the law.

Comparison chart

What is direct democracy?

Direct democracy, sometimes called “pure democracy,” is a form of democracy in which all laws and policies enforced by governments are determined by the people themselves, and not by elected representatives of the people. In a real direct democracy, all laws, bills and even court decisions are voted on by all citizens. This can occur in the form of group democracy or by incipient and mandate ballot voting, with direct voting on issues alternately for candidates or parties. Rarely the term is also used to elect illustrations in a direct vote as in conflict with indirect elections (voting for an electing body, electoral college, etc.), as well as to recall elected offices.

Advantages

• Total government transparency: Without a doubt, no other type of democracy ensures a greater degree of sincerity and transparency between the people and their government. Discussions and debates on important issues held in public. Also, all the successes or failures of society can be credited or blamed on the people, rather than the government.
• More Government Accountability: Giving the people a direct and obvious voice through their votes, direct democracy necessitates a high level of government accountability. The government cannot request that it did not know or was not clear about the desire of the people. Intervention in the legislative process by partisan political parties and special interest groups has largely been eradicated.
• Greater citizen cooperation: In theory at least, people are more likely to happily obey laws that they themselves create. Furthermore, people who know that their views will make a difference are more willing to participate in government processes.

What is indirect democracy?

Indirect democracy is a type of democratic government in which voters elect delegates to create the governing laws on their behalf. In this type of democracy, representatives of the people are elected to govern the country. Those chosen or chosen people carry the feelings, sentiments and problems of the people and make decisions. Since modern states are much larger in size and population, it is not possible for all citizens to participate directly in the affairs of the state; indirect democracy established in almost all modern states. Under this system, the people elect their representatives for a time who run the administration. If they do not work according to the wishes of the people and for their well-being, they changed at the time of the next election. This form of democracy is practiced in nations where the number of residents is so high that direct representation would likely be too difficult or wrong. The whole concept of indirect democracy depends on the ability of people to express their wishes to their representatives. In an indirect democracy, political responsibility rests with a small group of privileged parliamentarians, which in turn leaves a large part of the population without direct representation.

Advantages

• Is efficient.
• You can come up with a well-balanced decision.
• Let the people elect their officials.
• Ensures better citizen representation.
• It makes it easier for the government to address problems.
• Encourage participation.

Key differences

1. Direct democracy is described as the structure of government, where the implementation of laws is possible through the general vote of all the people. In contrast, indirect democracy is that type of government in which the people vote for representatives who are empowered to decide on their behalf.
2. In a direct democracy, the entire community forms the legislature. As against, in an indirect democracy, the elected representatives of the winning party form the government and are part of the legislature.
3. In a direct democracy, decisions regarding government policies, laws, and other issues are made by citizens. On the contrary, in an indirect democracy, citizens choose their illustrations, make decisions about the formulation of laws and policies.
4. While direct democracy is more suitable for small countries, indirect democracy is suitable for large countries.

Final Thought

Direct democracy is an obvious democracy that is suitable for countries where the size of the citizenry is smaller. However, it cannot be skillful in a country with a large number of citizens, and where the conclusion must be taken by thousands of people. As a result of this failure, indirect or substitute democracy emerged, which overcomes the drawbacks of direct democracy.