Difference Between Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy
Basically, there are two kinds of democracy: Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy. Direct democracy, also known as participatory democracy, has previously been covered. Now, we will talk about representative democracy.
Representative democracy is a form of democracy where representatives are elected by the citizens of the nation. Almost all modern democracy functions as some type of representative democracy. Some of the examples of representative democracy are: the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
There are a few things that set these two apart:
| Basis |
Participatory Democracy |
Representative Democracy |
|---|---|---|
|
Participation in Decision making |
The citizens actively participate |
The elected representatives take decisions |
|
Direct Participation |
Citizens take direct actions |
Citizens vote for their representatives |
|
Power in Whose hands |
Citizens have power to make policy, community affair, and policy implementation |
Powers are delegated to elected representatives |
|
Specialisation |
Can address to their problems and needs |
In different functions |
|
Accountability |
Decisions are taken by citizens but politicians are responsible for implementation |
Representatives are accountable |
|
Suitability |
Simple societies with small population |
Complex Societies with large population |
|
Knowledge and experience |
In civic education |
In specific field |
|
Interest |
Works for their own benefit |
Interest can transfer to self interest |
A participatory democracy involves the citizens directly in collective decision-making, whereas a representative democracy depends on decision-making on behalf of the voter. The decision between each style of democracy depends on the requirements and objectives of government, since each has advantages and disadvantages of its own.
Participatory Democracy : Means, Component, & Importance
Rather than choosing a representative to represent them in politics, people of a country with a participatory democracy or Direct democracy actively participate in policy-making. As an experiment, this kind of democracy has been imposed on countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Iceland, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
In this article, we’ll be learning more about participatory democracy, its components, and its functioning.
Table of Content
- Components of Participatory Democracy
- Participatory Democracy
- Historical Evolution of Participatory Democracy
- Why is Participatory Democracy Important?
- What are the ways to Increase People’s Participation?
- Difference Between Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy
- Participatory Democracy: A New Feature of Political Participation