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45 votes
45 votes
For this assignment, imagine the United States is governed entirely through direct democracy. You will submit

an essay detailing your thoughts. Follow the instructions below to complete the assignment.
In a five-paragraph essay, explain how you think the United States would function under a direct democracy.
Be sure to address the following questions:
• What are some potential advantages of direct democracy?
• What are some problems you foresee arising from this type of government?
You may use the following resources, as well as the resources referenced above, to begin your research. Be
sure to supplement your research with additional sources of your own.
• Direct Democracy
• Defending Direct Democracy
To earn full credit, be sure to follow the guidelines outlined in the rubric. When citing your sources, use the
guidelines laid out in the Chicago Manual of Style. For additional resources, visit the pages that follow.
• Microsoft Word Tutorial for Footnotes. Please note that this example shows APA formatting; you should
select "Chicago" from the drop-down list next to "Style."
• Mac Tutorial for Footnotes
• Citation Machine
Use the paperclip button below to attach files.

User Milney
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1 Answer

14 votes
14 votes

The most important historical reference of direct democracy is to assembly democracy in ancient Greek city-states, particularly Athens, where decisions were taken by an Assembly (Ecclesia) of some 1,000 male citizens. Later, people’s assemblies were used in many Swiss cantons and towns as well as in town meetings in some American colonies and states. Early U.S. states also started using procedures in which constitutions or constitutional amendments were ratified by referenda, which later became common in the country. Popular sovereignty, proclaimed in the French Revolution (1787–99), had rather been distorted, however, in Napoleon’s autocratic plebiscites. Switzerland and many U.S. states incorporated direct democracy in their constitutions during the 19th century, while Germany and few other countries adopted some elements after World War I. In a more general perspective, the ensuing introduction or practical use of direct-democratic institutions originated from three major types of developments: Social class conflict to curb the political power of a dominating oligarchy (e.g., Switzerland, U.S. states).

Processes toward political or territorial autonomy or independence for legitimizing and integrating the new state unit (beginning after World War I).

Processes of democratic transformation from authoritarian rule (e.g., Germany’s regional states after 1945, some Latin American countries).

Modern democracy most often developed not from the starting point of assembly democracy but, under absolutist or feudal conditions, from people gradually claiming a larger share of political representation and extension of representative voting rights. Constitutions, civil rights, and universal suffrage, which had been achieved in European and many other countries (generally by the end of World War I), were usually identified with “democracy” on the normative basis of the principles of popular sovereignty, freedom, and political equality. Thus, in many countries and theories, these principles have been tied to and absorbed by a narrow notion of representative democracy rather than being used to support a more comprehensive concept of democracy.

User Norwebian
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