Understanding Models of Democracy: Direct vs Representative

Models of Democracy

There are many definitions of democracy, each highlighting different aspects:

• The rate at which citizens can govern themselves.
• A regime where rulers have a responsibility to the governed, and citizens can control them through mechanisms such as elections.
• A system that can remove ineffective rulers from power.

Two primary models of democracy are distinguished: direct democracy and representative democracy.

Direct Democracy

The rule of Pericles was based on two core principles:

• Isonomia: Equality of all citizens before the law. All citizens could serve in court as jurors.
• Isegoria: Equal right for citizens to participate in the political life of the city. Everyone had the right to speak in the assembly to defend or discuss proposals and vote freely.

This model is classified as direct because citizens did not have representatives; they were personally involved with a voice in the public life of society.

Representative Democracy

In this model, not all citizens are directly involved; instead, they elect representatives. Two basic elements of contemporary democracies are:

• Universal suffrage: All adults have the right to vote regardless of race, religion, or social class.
• Party system: Political parties act as organizations between the representatives and the represented, bridging the gap between different branches of government and the people.

The main functions satisfied by political parties are:

• Integrating citizens into political life.
• Transmitting social needs to the state and creating new demands on behalf of the citizenry.
• Creating a policy offering that allows citizens to direct their preferences.

Types of Representative Democracy

Democracies that incorporate liberal principles and the division of powers are classified into three types, based on how power is distributed:

Parliamentary Democracy

In this model, elections determine the composition of parliament, which is the institution in charge of the legislature. Its functions include passing laws, approving state budgets, and choosing the head of government. The government consists of the president and ministers, whose function is to establish legislative priorities and execute laws. The courts fulfill the function of judging, and the judiciary remains independent of the other two branches.

Presidential Democracy

In these democracies, there is a rigorous separation of powers where the executive and legislative branches are elected through separate ballots.