The Role of Direct and Indirect Democracy in the US: Examining Majority Rule, Elitism, and Pluralism

Abstract

[Name] Direct democracy entails optional referendum, mandatory referendum, and popular initiative which give the United States citizens the right to propose an amendment. When policy questions go straight to the electorate for a referendum, this is known as direct democracy. Support, budgets, candidate withdrawal, candidate ratification, legislative revisions, and constitutional amendments are among the decisions that must be made. Direct democracy is not allowed in all nations, and the US government does not allow it. Indirect Democracy Indirect democracy is representative and citizens can elect leaders of their choice to make laws for them. The linkage institutions foster for an indirect democracy to ensure their views are heard within confederal levels. State rights can be advocated for through a representative democracy. Some unites states citizens believe that power is concentrated to a minority group; the political elites. They are believed to be educated and wealthy and can influence the country’s economy. PROCESS Majority Rule The majority rule is a derailment of democracy. The people are expected to be their own rulers when it comes to policy laws. In a democratic society, the citizens can examine the government legitimacy by choosing their leaders through voting whom they depend on matters of governance. The African Americans are a minority group, and have been victims, of inequality, unfair judgment and trial, and denial of fundamental rights such as voting and participation in the local community in the past. Supporting the majority is the infringement of democracy and equality in public policy, and decision making. Elitism Many Americans claim that the government in the United States is dominated by a select number of rich people who have little power on the rest of the population. This is known as elitism. Pluralism Pluralism involves many organizations running an institution. For instance civil rights activists, formal...