when does a direct democracy work?

Answer 1

Usually never, but it depends on what approach you are talking about. The basic one most referred to would be way to involved. Nothing would ever get accomplished if every single issue had to be voted upon by every single individual. Citizens making policy and law decisions in person, without going through representatives and legislatures would clog the system completely. Besides, I'm not to sure I would want all individuals making all policies since our elected leaders sometimes have a difficult time interpreting complex issues.
If you want to read the link, you will see there is more than one approach to direct democracy.

Answer 2

I think your first three answers are pretty bad.

Direct democracy does not work. It means everyone gets to decide every issue. It amounts to chaos. Example: everyone gets together and decides to have cars drive on the right side of the road on Monday. Then, everyone gets together and decides to drive on the left side of the road on Wednesday.

With a direct democracy, there is no point in having written laws because the people in the society can get together and change a law any time they want.

Answer 3

When you are talking about democracy, you need to break the subject down into two levels. First level is the idealistic concept of democracy, the second a down to earth pay the bills concept. When a democracy works, everyone is smiling and full of good cheer. In this country that would mean 300 million satisfied customers.

Answer 4

Direct democracy has many interpretations.

The one I like is when you vote for your politician, they get to vote on your behalf (e.g. they get 20,000 votes), but if you want, you can overrule their vote on any particular issue, so you get 1 vote, and they get 19,999.

So if you want direct democracy you can vote for yourself, or if your happy to pick someone to vote for you, then you may do so (which is what almost all democracies do now).

So, when an issue like a war comes along and the government does nothing, then 51% of the people can just override the government by voting themselves.

Answer 5

When people, as true citizens actively involve and participate in all the activities of the government they have elected. For this a nation should have highly educated and enlightened citizens. The quality of Government depends upon the quality of it's citizens.