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In a pure democracy, citizens elect representatives who then make policy decisions on their behalf, acting as intermediaries.
Answer: False
Explanation: A pure democracy is characterized by direct citizen decision-making on policy initiatives, without the use of elected representatives or intermediaries, which is a feature of representative democracy.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, and G.D.H. Cole are prominent theorists associated with the concept of direct citizen engagement in governance.
Answer: True
Explanation: These theorists are recognized for their contributions to the theory and practice of direct democracy, emphasizing the importance of direct citizen participation in governmental processes.
The two leading forms of direct democracy are compulsory democracy and popular democracy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text identifies participatory democracy and deliberative democracy as the two leading forms of direct democracy, not compulsory and popular democracy.
Open-source governance applies principles from the free software movement to allow the populace to participate directly in government, fostering transparency.
Answer: True
Explanation: Open-source governance indeed adapts principles from the free software movement, enabling direct public participation in government and promoting transparency and broad citizen involvement.
What is the fundamental characteristic that distinguishes direct democracy from representative democracy?
Answer: In direct democracy, the people themselves directly decide on policy initiatives.
Explanation: The defining feature of direct democracy is the unmediated participation of citizens in policy decision-making, in contrast to representative democracy where elected intermediaries make decisions on behalf of the populace.
Which of the following theorists is NOT explicitly associated with the theory and practice of direct democracy in the provided text?
Answer: Alexander Hamilton
Explanation: The text explicitly associates Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, and G.D.H. Cole with the theory and practice of direct democracy. Alexander Hamilton, conversely, is presented as a critic of pure democracy.
What are the two leading forms of direct democracy mentioned in the source?
Answer: Participatory democracy and deliberative democracy
Explanation: The source explicitly identifies participatory democracy and deliberative democracy as the two leading forms of direct democracy.
The earliest well-documented direct democracy is widely considered to be the Roman Republic.
Answer: False
Explanation: The earliest well-documented direct democracy is generally recognized as the Athenian democracy of the 5th century BC, not the Roman Republic, although the latter did incorporate democratic elements.
Athenian democracy was inclusive, allowing all residents, including women, foreigners, and slaves, to participate in the democratic process.
Answer: False
Explanation: Athenian democracy was highly exclusive, limiting participation to male citizens over 18, thereby excluding women, resident foreigners (*metoikoi*), and slaves from the democratic process.
Solon, Cleisthenes, and Ephialtes were all instrumental figures in the development of Athenian democracy.
Answer: True
Explanation: These three historical figures are acknowledged for their significant contributions to the foundational and developmental stages of Athenian democracy, with Cleisthenes often credited with its more enduring constitutional framework.
The Roman Senate, during the late Republic, primarily served as the body responsible for creating new laws.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the late Roman Republic, the Senate's primary role was to provide advice to elected officials, not to create new laws, which was largely the purview of the popular assemblies and magistrates.
What was a significant demographic limitation of Athenian democracy?
Answer: Participation was limited to male citizens older than 18.
Explanation: A significant demographic limitation of Athenian democracy was its exclusivity, restricting participation to male citizens aged 18 and above, thereby disenfranchising women, resident foreigners, and slaves.
Which historical figure is often credited with a more enduring constitution for Athenian democracy compared to Solon?
Answer: Cleisthenes
Explanation: Historians frequently credit Cleisthenes with establishing a more enduring constitutional framework for Athenian democracy, distinguishing his reforms from those of Solon.
What was the primary role of the Roman Senate during the late Roman Republic?
Answer: To provide advice to elected officials.
Explanation: During the late Roman Republic, the Roman Senate's principal function was to offer counsel to elected officials, rather than to enact new laws or serve as the highest judicial authority.
A compulsory referendum is a mechanism that allows citizens to petition for existing legislation to be put to a popular vote, effectively granting them a veto power.
Answer: False
Explanation: The description provided refers to a popular referendum, which grants citizens veto power over existing legislation. A compulsory referendum, by contrast, subjects legislation drafted by political elites to a binding popular vote without requiring a citizen petition.
As of 2019, fewer than ten countries globally allowed for referendums initiated by the population at the national level.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2019, thirty countries permitted referendums to be initiated by the population at the national level, which is significantly more than fewer than ten.
An indirect initiative first presents a successful proposition to the legislature for consideration before potentially moving to a direct popular vote if no acceptable action is taken.
Answer: True
Explanation: An indirect initiative is characterized by an initial submission of a successful proposition to the legislature for review, with the provision that it proceeds to a direct popular vote if the legislature fails to take acceptable action within a specified period.
The power of recall allows the public to propose new legislation or constitutional amendments through a petition process.
Answer: False
Explanation: The power of recall enables the public to remove elected officials from office before their term concludes. The mechanism for proposing new legislation or constitutional amendments through a petition process is known as an initiative.
Mandatory referendums align with the principle of consensus democracy, seeking broader agreement among diverse interests.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mandatory referendums are associated with the principle of majority rule, whereas optional referendums and popular initiatives align with consensus democracy, which aims for broader agreement.
In semi-direct democracies, which three forms of popular action are available to citizens?
Answer: Referendums, initiatives, and recalls
Explanation: In semi-direct democracies, citizens are empowered through three forms of popular action: referendums (plebiscites), initiatives, and recalls, with the first two being forms of direct legislation.
As of 2019, how many countries allowed for referendums initiated by the population at the national level?
Answer: 30
Explanation: According to the provided information, thirty countries globally permitted population-initiated referendums at the national level as of 2019.
What power does a popular referendum grant citizens?
Answer: The right to petition for existing legislation to be put to a popular vote, effectively vetoing laws.
Explanation: A popular referendum empowers citizens to petition for a popular vote on existing legislation, thereby granting them an effective veto power over laws enacted by the legislature.
Which democratic principle do mandatory referendums primarily correspond to?
Answer: Majority rule
Explanation: Mandatory referendums are primarily aligned with the principle of majority rule, ensuring that decisions are based on the will of the greater number of voters.
Switzerland added the 'constitutional amendment initiative' to its national constitution in 1848, allowing citizens to propose constitutional changes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Switzerland added the 'statute referendum' to its national constitution in 1848. The 'constitutional amendment initiative,' which allows citizens to propose constitutional changes, was added later in 1891.
In Liechtenstein, a referendum to suspend parliament or change the constitution requires at least 1,000 citizens to vote affirmatively.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Liechtenstein, while 1,000 citizens can initiate a referendum on any law, referendums to suspend parliament or change the constitution specifically require at least 1,500 citizens to vote affirmatively.
The Swiss Confederation is characterized as a pure direct democracy, with all decisions made through Landsgemeinden.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Swiss Confederation is characterized as a semi-direct democracy, not a pure direct democracy. While Landsgemeinden represent a pure form of direct democracy, they exist only in two specific cantons (Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus), not across the entire confederation for all decisions.
Swiss citizens vote approximately once a year on federal issues, with cantonal and municipal issues handled less frequently.
Answer: False
Explanation: Swiss citizens vote approximately four times a year on a wide range of issues at municipal, cantonal, and federal levels, indicating a much higher frequency than once a year for federal issues and less frequently for others.
The 'double majority' requirement in Switzerland for federal constitutional issues means an amendment must be approved by a majority of individual voters and a majority of the cantons.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'double majority' requirement for federal constitutional issues in Switzerland mandates that an amendment must receive approval from both a majority of individual voters and a majority of the cantons, ensuring broad support across both the population and the constituent states.
When did Switzerland add the 'constitutional amendment initiative' to its national constitution?
Answer: 1891
Explanation: Switzerland incorporated the 'constitutional amendment initiative' into its national constitution in 1891, allowing citizens to propose changes to the constitution.
What are the specific requirements for citizens to initiate a referendum to suspend parliament or change the constitution in Liechtenstein?
Answer: At least 1,500 citizens must vote affirmatively.
Explanation: In Liechtenstein, initiating a referendum to suspend parliament or amend the constitution requires at least 1,500 citizens to vote affirmatively, a higher threshold than for referendums on general laws.
Which two Swiss cantons are noted for maintaining a pure form of direct democracy through Landsgemeinden?
Answer: Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus
Explanation: The Swiss cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus are unique in preserving a pure form of direct democracy through their traditional Landsgemeinden, where citizens directly participate in decision-making.
How often do Swiss citizens typically vote on various issues at different political levels?
Answer: Approximately four times a year
Explanation: Swiss citizens engage in voting approximately four times annually, addressing a diverse range of issues at municipal, cantonal, and federal levels.
What does the 'double majority' requirement for federal constitutional issues in Switzerland entail?
Answer: Approval by a majority of individual voters and a majority of the cantons.
Explanation: The 'double majority' requirement in Switzerland for federal constitutional issues mandates approval by both a majority of individual voters and a majority of the cantons, ensuring broad consensus across the populace and the constituent states.
From where did the Swiss adopt the idea of double majorities for national citizen lawmaking in 1890?
Answer: The United States Congress
Explanation: The Swiss adopted the concept of double majorities for national citizen lawmaking from the United States Congress in 1890, drawing parallels with the U.S. system where different legislative bodies represent the people and the states.
The framers of the United States Constitution advocated for a direct democracy to ensure the will of the majority was always paramount.
Answer: False
Explanation: The framers of the U.S. Constitution deliberately chose a constitutional republic over a direct democracy, primarily to guard against the 'tyranny of the majority' and protect individual and minority interests, rather than to ensure the paramountcy of majority will.
James Madison, in Federalist No. 10, argued that a pure democracy is well-suited to cure the 'mischiefs of faction' by allowing direct citizen administration.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued the opposite, contending that a pure democracy offers no remedy for the 'mischiefs of faction' and is prone to sacrificing the rights of minority groups due to common passions or interests of the majority.
The first U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of citizen lawmaking was in Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph Company v. Oregon in 1912.
Answer: True
Explanation: The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in *Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph Company v. Oregon* (1912) indeed marked the first time the Court affirmed the right of the people to direct democracy governance components at state and sub-state levels.
President Theodore Roosevelt believed the Initiative and Referendum should be used to replace representative government entirely.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Theodore Roosevelt advocated for the Initiative and Referendum as tools to *correct* representative government when it became misrepresentative, not to abolish it entirely, as articulated in his 1912 'Charter of Democracy' speech.
Statute law affirmation, available in Nevada, allows voters to prevent the state legislature from ever amending a standing state law once affirmed by a majority.
Answer: True
Explanation: Statute law affirmation in Nevada uniquely empowers voters to render a standing state law immune to legislative amendment once affirmed by a majority, requiring another direct popular vote for any future changes.
What is the oldest form of direct democracy in the United States?
Answer: The town meeting
Explanation: The town meeting, a practice prevalent in New England, is recognized as the oldest form of direct democracy in the United States, predating the nation's founding.
Why did the framers of the United States Constitution advocate for a constitutional republic over a direct democracy?
Answer: They sought to protect individual and minority interests from the 'tyranny of the majority.'
Explanation: The framers of the U.S. Constitution opted for a constitutional republic to mitigate the risk of the 'tyranny of the majority' inherent in pure democracies, thereby safeguarding individual and minority rights from potentially impulsive popular decisions.
According to James Madison in Federalist No. 10, what is a characteristic of a pure democracy regarding factions?
Answer: It offers no cure for the 'mischiefs of faction.'
Explanation: In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that a pure democracy, by its very nature, offers no effective remedy for the 'mischiefs of faction,' as a majority united by a common passion could easily oppress minority interests.
Which U.S. Supreme Court ruling first supported citizen lawmaking at the state and sub-state levels?
Answer: Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph Company v. Oregon (1912)
Explanation: The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in *Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph Company v. Oregon* (1912) was the first to affirm the legality of citizen lawmaking at the state and sub-state levels.
What was President Theodore Roosevelt's view on the Initiative and Referendum in his 1912 'Charter of Democracy' speech?
Answer: They should be used to correct representative government when it becomes misrepresentative.
Explanation: In his 'Charter of Democracy' speech, President Theodore Roosevelt articulated that the Initiative and Referendum should serve as corrective mechanisms for representative government when it fails to accurately reflect the will of the people, rather than as instruments for its abolition.
In the context of U.S. direct democracy, what is a 'referral by the legislature'?
Answer: A process where the legislature submits proposed laws or constitutional amendments to the people for a vote.
Explanation: A 'referral by the legislature' in U.S. direct democracy is a process whereby the legislative body itself submits proposed laws or constitutional amendments directly to the electorate for a popular vote.
What is the unique feature of a constitutional amendment initiative at the U.S. state level?
Answer: Its provisions, if successful, are written directly into the state's constitution and cannot be altered by the legislature.
Explanation: The distinctive characteristic of a constitutional amendment initiative at the U.S. state level is that its successful provisions are directly embedded into the state's constitution, granting them automatic superiority and precluding alteration by the state legislature.
Popular assemblies are generally considered viable for modern states at a national level due to advancements in communication technology.
Answer: False
Explanation: Popular assemblies are generally deemed unviable for modern states beyond the local level because it remains logistically impossible to convene all citizens of a modern state into a single assembly, irrespective of communication technology advancements.
Graham Smith criticizes modern local consultative meetings for fostering unequal participation due to self-selection and offering little time for citizens to develop considered judgments.
Answer: True
Explanation: Graham Smith's critique highlights that modern consultative meetings suffer from unequal participation due to self-selection and provide insufficient time for citizens to form well-considered judgments, thereby limiting their democratic effectiveness.
Why are popular assemblies generally not considered viable for modern states above a local level?
Answer: It is impossible to gather all citizens of a modern state into a single assembly.
Explanation: The primary reason popular assemblies are not viable for modern states beyond the local level is the logistical impossibility of physically convening the entire citizenry of a large, modern state into a single assembly for decision-making.