What is direct democracy and why is it needed?

Recently, the democratic regime is considered the most acceptable way of governing the country. It is not worth talking about what it is and discussing its advantages and disadvantages. The main thing is to define that there are two forms: representative and immediate democracy. The last one is devoted to this article.

The concept and forms of immediate democracy

As you know, in most countries of today's world, under the basic law, power belongs to the population of the state. This statement stems not only from the provisions laid down in the legislation, but also from the very essence of democracy (in translation from Greek "the power of the people"). But at the same time, the situation in which power belongs to everyone and, consequently, all is carried out, can not contribute to effective development. Therefore, democracy itself was divided into two types - direct and representative. Representative implies the transfer of part of the authority to operate public affairs to a particular person or group.

Immediate democracy (it is direct), in turn, is the most striking expression of the essence of the power of the population. In fact, under such a political regime, any citizen of the country has the right to speak and make a decision on a specific problem of the functioning of the state. This group can include: decisions on the path of the country's development, the formation of institutions of representative democracy, as well as other matters recognized as significant. And on the basis of these rights can be derived forms of direct democracy.

The first and basic form is the institution of elections , or the formation of bodies of representative democracy. As a rule, they are held once in a strictly set period of time. But there are many reservations that provide for changes at both the national and local levels.

The second form can be a referendum , which discusses the possibility of a radical change in one of the national aspects. The referendum can be held both at the level of the whole country, and in its separate part. Most theorists of political science and jurisprudence refer to this institute also a plebiscite, a survey and a discussion.

The third form is the people's legislative initiative . In this case, a document containing the theses on regulating a certain important relationship in society is sent from the population to representative democracy bodies.

The fourth, and the main last, is the right to assembly . Thus, the population of the country can express its dissatisfaction with the way decisions are taken on the basis of representative democracy.

Immediate Democracy: Importance for the Development of the State

It would seem that if there is such a form as a representative democracy, why is it necessary and immediate? In fact, the value of the latter is great. This statement is based on the fact that direct democracy actually forms all power in the country. State institutions can function on its basis, legislative acts can be created, and law enforcement functions can be exercised.

However, there are also risks. Institutions of direct democracy, with their direct use, can lead to the fact that the main principle of this political regime will be violated, namely, the consideration of the minority's opinion. Whatever form a direct democracy takes, the result of its application is always the position of the majority. In such a situation, the state should have mechanisms for deterring and protecting the dissenting part of society. Otherwise, the institutions of direct democracy can grow into authoritarian regimes. Therefore, the existence of only the above-mentioned species is not enough.

Another risk that may arise is a lack of understanding and ignorance of the country's governance processes. The overall educational and intellectual level of the entire population does not allow the effective implementation and implementation of a specific policy. Therefore, when implementing any form of direct democracy, the people of the country set only a general direction, and the bodies elected by them are developing the necessary tactics.

In conclusion, we note that direct democracy is inherently a factor in the formation of a representative democracy, as well as a deterrent to the latter. Therefore, it is not possible to talk about the separate existence of these forms of democracy.