What is direct democracy, and why is it necessary?

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Recently, a democratic regime is considered to be the most appropriate way to manage the country.Talk about what it represents, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages, it is not necessary.The main thing to determine that there are two forms of representative and direct democracy.This last subject of this article.

Concept and forms of direct democracy

As you know, in most of today's world of the fundamental law of the state power belongs to the people.This assertion stems not only from the provisions laid down in the legislation, but from the very essence of democracy (in translation from the Greek. "People power").But at the same time a situation where all the power belongs to and consequently all implemented, can not contribute to the effective development.Therefore, democracy itself was divided into two types - direct and representative.Representative implies a transfer of some powers to operate state affairs particular person or group.

Direct democracy (it is a straight line), in turn, is the most vivid expression of the essence of the power of the population.In fact, in such a political regime, any citizen has the right to speak out and make a decision on a particular issue of functioning of the state.This group may include: a decision on the country's development, the formation of institutions of representative democracy and other issues deemed important.And on the basis of these rights can be derived forms of direct democracy.

The first and the main form of the institution of elections is , or the formation of representative democracy.They usually held once a strictly allotted time period.But there are a lot of reservations involving changes at both the national and local levels.

second form can serve as a referendum , which discussed the possibility of a fundamental change in one of the national aspects.A referendum can be held at the level of the entire country and in its individual parts.Most theorists of political science and law relate to this institution as a plebiscite, survey and discussion.

third form appears popular legislative initiative .In this case, from the public authorities of representative democracy is sent to a document containing abstracts of the regulation of certain important relationships in society.

fourth and last principal is right of assembly .Thus, the population may express its discontent with the way decisions are made on the basis of representative democracy.

Direct democracy: implications for the development of the state

It would seem that if there is such a form as a representative democracy, what is needed and direct?In fact, high value of the latter.This statement is based on the fact that direct democracy actually generates all the power in the country.On its base can operate public institutions created legislation that implemented the law enforcement function.

However, there are risks.Institutions of direct democracy in their direct use may result in a violation of the basic principle of the political regime, namely considering the opinion of the minority.Whatever form does not take a direct democracy, the result of its application it is always the position of the majority.In this situation, the state must act mechanisms of deterrence and protection of the dissenting part of society.Otherwise, the institutions of direct democracy can develop in authoritarian regimes.Consequently, only the existence of the above form is not enough.

other risks that may arise is the lack of understanding and lack of knowledge of the processes of governance.General educational and intellectual level of the entire population can not effectively implement and carry out certain policies.And so when the implementation of any form of direct democracy, the people of the country sets a general direction, and their elected authorities to develop the necessary tactics.

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