Direct democracy is a form of democratic government where the population has the right to participate directly in decision-making . However, this is a viable model for small societies, where deliberation among all its members is possible.
The first reports of direct democracy are from Athens, in Ancient Greece, when the system of government consisted of popular participation in making the main decisions. The citizens met in a public square and, thus, discussed and voted on political issues and on the problems of the city.
Currently, with the enormous population growth of nations, it is impossible to maintain this type of democracy model. For this reason, other alternatives were emerging, such as representative democracy.
Direct democracy is the oldest model that represents the manifestation of citizenship. However, in Ancient Greece, only men who were children or grandchildren of Athenians were considered citizens. Women, blacks, mestizos, for example, did not have the privilege of participating in city decisions.
See also Citizenship and Ways to exercise citizenship .
Direct and indirect democracy
In direct democracy, also known as participatory democracy , citizens debate and vote directly on the main issues of interest, without the need for intermediaries.
Currently, the closest model to direct democracy in the past is the model adopted in Switzerland: semi-direct democracy . In this regime, there is a combination of political representation with characteristics of direct democracy by the Swiss people.
In indirect democracy (or representative democracy ), citizens must choose political representatives through elections. Thus, the elected individuals become responsible for representing, in theory, the interests of the people in making public decisions.
Learn more about Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy .
Even in representative governments there are some tools used that refer to direct democracy, as is the case with referendums and plebiscites . The latter consists of a kind of popular manifestation expressed through votes, which occurs when there is a matter of political or social interest.
