The Ekklesia (People’s Assembly) in Greece. Any citizen aged 20 or above could attend meetings and speak to members of the Assembly. The Assembly met 40 times a year. Do you think this early system of government was more democratic than the system that exists in the UK today?

Should MPs be delegates or representatives? To understand and evaluate the differences between representative and direct democracy  Aims

 Your task Read p.60 and list the reasons why ‘direct democracy’ as practised in Ancient Greece was seen to be impractical in later centuries Read p.60 and list the reasons why ‘direct democracy’ as practised in Ancient Greece was seen to be impractical in later centuries

Decline of direct democracy Direct democracy was practised in small city- states in Ancient Greece, 40,000 citizens Direct democracy was practised in small city- states in Ancient Greece, 40,000 citizens Later centuries afraid of ‘people power’ Later centuries afraid of ‘people power’ Thomas Paine, ‘Rights of Man’ (1791), thought Athenian democracy possible only in small communities Thomas Paine, ‘Rights of Man’ (1791), thought Athenian democracy possible only in small communities Modern societies combine mix of direct & indirect democracy Modern societies combine mix of direct & indirect democracy Thomas Paine

What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy? Which is better for democracy?

 Your task Read p.61-2 and complete a chart similar to the one below: Read p.61-2 and complete a chart similar to the one below: Examples of direct democracy Examples of indirect democracy

Direct democracy Involves people power or self-government Involves people power or self-government Referendums – especially common in decentralised states, e.g. Switzerland Referendums – especially common in decentralised states, e.g. Switzerland Town meetings, e.g. New England Town meetings, e.g. New England Use of internet voting or experimental voting e.g. via TV or mobile phone Use of internet voting or experimental voting e.g. via TV or mobile phone

Indirect democracy Direct democracy impractical in large modern states Direct democracy impractical in large modern states UK relies on indirect or representative democracy UK relies on indirect or representative democracy 646 MPs in HoC represent the interests of 44 million registered voters 646 MPs in HoC represent the interests of 44 million registered voters Representatives are freely elected by constituents Representatives are freely elected by constituents MPs represent views of constituents – NOT delegates MPs represent views of constituents – NOT delegates MPs are socially representative MPs are socially representative

 Your task Read p.62-3 and take notes on these points Read p.62-3 and take notes on these points Edmund Burke’s view on the role of an MP Edmund Burke’s view on the role of an MP 2 models of representation 2 models of representation

Burke’s view of MPs MPs not delegates (‘mouthpieces’), but Members of Parliament MPs not delegates (‘mouthpieces’), but Members of Parliament Represented issues of interests to the whole nation – not just their constituents Represented issues of interests to the whole nation – not just their constituents Use their own judgement Use their own judgement We rock!

2 views of parliamentary representation MPs are elected representatives, who act and speak on behalf of constituents, but use their own discretion in votes and debates in Parliament MPs are elected representatives, who act and speak on behalf of constituents, but use their own discretion in votes and debates in Parliament MPs are delegates, mouthpieces for the views of members of their constituency, regardless of their own views MPs are delegates, mouthpieces for the views of members of their constituency, regardless of their own views

Discussion Discussion You are part of a political focus group. Discuss the following points: You are part of a political focus group. Discuss the following points: Town meetings in the UK should be organised on the US model Town meetings in the UK should be organised on the US model MPs should act more as delegates MPs should act more as delegates Referendums should be held more frequently Referendums should be held more frequently There should be a referendum on Europe There should be a referendum on Europe