WC:Representational Government
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It is commonly stated that Western societies are '''democracies''', and by this some people assume that what is meant is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_democracy direct democracy]. Western society however, for the most part, rather than being a direct democracy, is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy representative democracy]. | It is commonly stated that Western societies are '''democracies''', and by this some people assume that what is meant is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_democracy direct democracy]. Western society however, for the most part, rather than being a direct democracy, is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representative_democracy representative democracy]. | ||
− | In a direct democracy, "...sovereignty is lodged in the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate." An example of a direct democracy is the ''' | + | In a direct democracy, "...sovereignty is lodged in the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate." An example of a direct democracy is the '''initiative process''' by which a group of citizens collects enough signatures of eligible voters, to place an initiative on a ballot, which is then voted on at an election. California, for example, has such a system, however the '''vast majority''' of laws are still passed by the legislature, and either signed into law, or vetoed by the governor. |
The societies that you as a citizen, will be involved in are all representative democracies. The laws that you will be subject to, are not created in a process in which you directly participate, but rather they are created in a process in which your representative directly participates. You elect someone to represent you, they then make and enforce laws that you are required to obey. | The societies that you as a citizen, will be involved in are all representative democracies. The laws that you will be subject to, are not created in a process in which you directly participate, but rather they are created in a process in which your representative directly participates. You elect someone to represent you, they then make and enforce laws that you are required to obey. | ||
Your local condo association, city government, school board, water district, county government, state government, and national government are all, representative democracies. | Your local condo association, city government, school board, water district, county government, state government, and national government are all, representative democracies. |