Question 3: Why did the founders choose to establish a representative democracy rather
than a "pure" or "direct" version of democracy?
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy? Of
direct democracy?
Some people contend that instead of representing states or other geographic
areas, representatives should reflect social, economic or ethnic groups and
perhaps even gender grouping. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Angel
Thesis: In Alexander Hamilton's letter to George Washington he stated that "I fear
that we shall let slip the golden opportunity of rescuing the American Empire from
disunion, anarchy, and misery." In a representative democracy, laws are passed
based on the majority rule. Laws are more thought through, they are studied and
rewritten. It has to be passed through the house and senate, where a congress
committee made of senators, and representatives work out the disagreements.
Then it is passed to the president and has to be signed into a law. This is more
thought through, more fair to everyone, rather than a majority vote. This is why
our founders chose to establish a representative democracy rather than a "pure"
or direct version of democracy.
Example:
A direct democracy for example if we wanted cigarettes to be illegal to smoke, if
the majority of the people voted for that law then it would be a possible law. In a
representative democracy, the law would be first be introduced by a senator or
representative. Then it would be assigned to the appropriate committee, for mark
up. Where they work on language study it, and rewrite it. Then there would be a
hearing for public views on the matter. Once, the bill is passed through the house
and senate. The president would have to sign off to make it a law. Rather in a pure
democracy the people as a whole would vote. Where rather the law is passed or
not is decided by the majority of the people
Steven
the biggest difference between Athenian democracy and almost all subsequent
democracies is that the Athenian version was remarkably direct rather than being
representative. With a few exceptions, Athenians didn't vote for politicians to represent
them; all Athenians voted on just about every law or policy the city was to adopt. Shall
we fight the Spartans? The people vote and decide. Raise taxes? Build a navy? The
people decide.
An advantage of having a pure democracy is more people can speak out, even
though everyone will not be heard.
When laws were passed, they would be decided by the majority.
Laws don’t have to be passed through congress. This would save time, but you
want your laws to be thought through, and for them to be equal to everyone. That
would be more important then the laws being passed through quickly. The laws
should be fair to everyone. The people, who vote in a direct democracy, can
provide justice when necessary. So that they can have more opinions on how
justice should be decided.
Jerry
Advantages of having a Representative democracy are important. In a
representative democracy, the laws are created based on what would benefit the
people, but are proposed by either the house or the senate. This way the laws are
more studied thought through and fair to everyone. In a representative
Democracy, the government is more organized than in a direct democracy, an
advantage is the people are behind most of the things the government does,
because in theory it has the support of the majority. Another advantage is that the
qualifications of candidates for the office of a representative are often scrutinized,
and the most qualified candidate wins. This makes a wiser and more deliberate
legislative process than a direct democracy. The representatives are likely college
educated and are knowledgeable about legislative procedures of government.. A
representative democracy is the best form of a government to protect individual
right
Aaron
the disadvantages of having a representative democracy are that the minority will
have no say in the running of government. There is a chance their rights and
liberties will be compromised in the future. There is no legal recourse to amend
the mistakes committed by the majority. There can be problems with unlimited
power. To protect the rights of the minorities, the founding fathers of the nation
made the country a republic. The constitution, not the will of the people, is
important in a representative democracy.