Direct democracy is a form of democratic government where 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 taking the main decisions. Citizens gathered in the public square and thus discussed and voted on political issues and the problems of the city.
Currently, with the enormous population growth of nations, it is impossible to maintain this type of model of democracy. For this reason, other alternatives emerged, 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 the city's decisions.
See too 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 to them, without the need for intermediaries.
Currently, the model closest to the direct democracy of yesteryear 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, elected individuals become responsible for representing, in theory, the interests of the people in decision-making in the public sphere.
Learn more about representative democracy and participatory democracy.
Even in representative governments there are some tools used that refer to direct democracy, such as the referendums and referendums. The latter consists of a kind of popular manifestation expressed through votes, which occurs when there is some matter of political or social interest.
Learn more about Democracy and the difference between democracy and dictatorship.