Direct vs Indirect Democracy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the total Lok Sabha seats did the Congress party win in the 1984 elections?

90%

75%

80% (correct)

50%

What percentage of the votes did the Congress party actually receive in the 1984 elections?

48% (correct)

60%

50%

55%

What was the percentage of votes received by the BJP in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections?

7.4% (correct)

10%

How can electoral rules impact the party representation in a legislative assembly?

They can favor larger parties and minimize smaller party representation. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the 1984 Lok Sabha elections in terms of party seat distribution?

The majority party received less than half the total votes cast. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a direct democracy?

Citizens participate directly in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

Why is direct democracy not feasible for large populations?

It cannot effectively handle decision-making for millions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of indirect democracy?

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is closest to an example of direct democracy?

Gram sabhas in local governments. Signup and view all the answers

What role do citizens play in an indirect democracy?

Citizens choose representatives to govern. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the system of indirect democracy be considered beneficial?

It simplifies the decision-making process for large populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of elections in a democracy?

To select representatives for governance. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about elections is NOT typically considered correct?

Elections are always free from chaos. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the votes of a candidate who is eliminated in the FPTP election system?

They are transferred to the candidate with the next highest preference. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the FPTP election system considered popular in India?

It offers a clear and simple choice for voters. Signup and view all the answers

How does the FPTP system differ from proportional representation (PR) systems?

FPTP allows voters to select specific candidates in their locality. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of the FPTP system mentioned?

It may lead to regional parties being underrepresented. Signup and view all the answers

What role do voters have in the constituency-based system like FPTP?

Voters can hold their representative accountable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why the FPTP system might not work well in a sub-continental context?

It fails to address local issues effectively. Signup and view all the answers

How does FPTP ensure a direct relationship between voters and their representatives?

By focusing on individual candidates rather than parties. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the FPTP voting process?

It intensifies the influence of large political parties. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of votes a party must receive to be eligible for seats in the legislature?

3.25% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total seats did the Likud party win in the 2015 elections to the Knesset?

30% Signup and view all the answers

Which party secured the highest percentage of votes in the 2015 Knesset elections?

Likud Signup and view all the answers

How many total seats are there in the Knesset based on the 2015 elections?

120 Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of the proportional representation system used in the elections?

Multi-party coalition government Signup and view all the answers

Which party received the fewest seats in the 2015 Knesset elections?

Other Parties Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of votes did the Joint List receive in the 2015 elections?

10.61% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parties received exactly 6 seats in the 2015 Knesset elections?

Yisrael Beitenu Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the votes cast for losing candidates in elections under a first-past-the-post system?

They are discarded and have no impact. Signup and view all the answers

In the Proportional Representation (PR) system, how are seats in the parliament allocated to parties?

According to the percentage of votes each party receives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the voting process in the Proportional Representation system in Israel?

Voters select a party which then allocates seats based on a pre-declared list of candidates. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of the PR system used in Israel compared to other methods?

It treats the entire country as a single constituency. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following countries uses a PR system similar to that of Israel?

Netherlands Signup and view all the answers

In the Proportional Representation system, what do voters typically express their preference for?

A specific party only. Signup and view all the answers

How does the allocation of seats differ in multi-member constituencies compared to a single nationwide constituency in PR systems?

The overall percentage of votes determines seats regardless of constituency structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the PR system regarding individual candidate selection?

Voters choose both party and candidate in PR systems. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Direct Democracy vs. Indirect Democracy

Direct democracy allows citizens to directly participate in governing and decision-making.
Ancient Greek city-states are examples of direct democracy.
Gram sabhas (village councils) are considered modern examples of direct democracy.
Direct democracy becomes impractical in large populations.

Representation

Large populations require indirect democracy with representatives.
Elections are the method to choose representatives.
Citizens have a limited role in policy creation.

First Past the Post System (FPTP)

The FPTP or "winner-takes-all" system is simple to understand.
Voters choose a specific candidate or party.
The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
Provides accountability as voters directly elect their representative.

FPTP System in India

India uses the FPTP system in elections.
1984 election saw the Congress party win 80% of seats in the Lok Sabha with 48% of the votes
This highlights the potential disparity between votes and seats.

Proportional Representation (PR) System

In PR systems, seats are allocated to parties in proportion to their votes.
This can ensure representation for smaller parties.
Examples of PR systems include Israel and the Netherlands.
In Israel, the entire country is treated as one constituency.
PR may lead to multi-party coalition governments.

Comparing FPTP and PR Systems

FPTP divides the country into smaller constituencies.
PR uses geographically larger constituencies.

PR System in India

India uses a limited form of PR system for elections to the President, Vice President, and Rajya Sabha.

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Description

Explore the concepts of direct and indirect democracy through this engaging quiz. Learn about the First Past the Post system and its application in India. Test your understanding of how these democratic systems function and their implications on governance.