Write a three-paragraph argumentative essay answering this question: Would the U. S. government be better if it were a more direct democracy?

Yes! This is my favorite subject!!

Explanation:

Key Words initiative, referendums, voting, elections, law making

■ Abstract Until recently, direct democracy scholarship was primarily descriptive

or normative. Much of it sought to highlight the processes’ shortcomings. We describe

new research that examines direct democracy from a more scientific perspective. We

organize the discussion around four “old” questions that have long been at the heart

of the direct democracy debate: Are voters competent? What role does money play?

How does direct democracy affect policy? Does direct democracy benefit the many

or the few? We find that recent breakthroughs in theory and empirical analysis paint

a comparatively positive picture of the initiative and referendum. For example, voters are more competent, and the relationship between money and power in direct

democracy is less nefarious, than many observers allege. More new studies show that

the mere presence of direct democracy induces sitting legislatures to govern more

effectively.

INTRODUCTION

For better or worse, the institutions of direct democracy—initiative and referendum—have become an integral part of American democracy. At present, more

than half of the states and cities in the United States provide for the initiative and

referendum, and more than 70% of the population lives in a state or city where

direct democracy is available (Matsusaka 2004). These institutions have been a

part of American government for more than 100 years now, making them older

than universal women’s suffrage and direct election of U.S. senators, and there

is reason to believe that they will become increasingly important in the future.

No state with the initiative or referendum has ever chosen to do away with the

procedure, and states without the procedures are gradually adopting them (at a

rate of about one state per decade since the end of World War II).

Direct democracy is flourishing outside the United States as well. In Western

Europe, ten countries allow initiatives (as do six of the post-Soviet states), most

Explanation:

A system of government in which the power of the government is vested in the people, who rule directly or through elected representatives.

participatory democracyA form of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics and civil society, in which most or all citizens participate in politics directly.

pluralist democracyA form of democracy in which political power rests with competing interest groups so that no one group dominates political decisions.

elite democracyA form of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decisionmaking.Important takeaways

Participatory democracy in action: Participatory democracy (sometimes called direct democracy) is the idea that everyone should be, and can be, involved in politics. It emphasizes broad participation in politics and encourages ordinary people —not just a small subset of the population— to be responsible for political decisions.

An example of participatory democracy in the United States today is the use of referenda in some states. Referenda allow citizens to have a direct vote on a particular law. A referendum is an example of participatory democracy because the citizens themselves (not their government representatives) are the ones who decide whether to enact that law.

Pluralist democracy in action: Pluralist democracy is the idea that policymaking is open to lots of groups who have different interests. Each of these groups has the potential to influence policymaking, but no one group dominates all political decisions.

An example of pluralist democracy in the United States today is the participation of interest groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Global Green USA. Both of these groups raise funds for candidates, promote candidates, and strive to influence current members of Congress on political decisions. Interest groups are an example of pluralist democracy because citizens join groups to influence policymakers, rather than having direct access to political decisions.

Elite democracy in action: An elite democracy is one in which a small subset of citizens makes political decisions. Those who make policy are usually wealthier and more educated than the average citizen. In an elite democracy, those who are in power are highly qualified to make political decisions.

An example of elite democracy today is the Electoral College. The Electoral College is used in presidential elections and determines the outcome of most elections. Under this system, a candidate might win the popular vote in an election (meaning more citizens voted to elect them than their opponent), but lose the electoral vote, and thus the presidency. The Electoral College is intended to provide a check on voters and act as a safeguard in case the voters make an unwise decision.

the united states has a federal government. the president is the head of the federal government of the united states. however, each state forms its government for administration purposes. the powers of the state governments are exercised within restricted state boundaries. and citizens participate in this government by voting.

ne pare rău, dar când mi-am căutat întrebarea, doar avioanele au apărut .. deci, ar putea fi răspunsul, sau ar putea fi baloane cu aer cald, deoarece acestea pot conta și ca ambarcațiunile de aer, dar nu sunt complet sigur de asta. a fost doar o presupunere, sper că am ajutat, îmi pare rău dacă nu am făcut-o. de asemenea, folosesc traducerea google, pentru a traduce ceea ce spun în engleză, așa că îmi pare rău dacă gramatica sau chiar limba nu este corectă