Direkte Demokratie – einfach erklärt | Kindervideos | SRF Kids

Summary

The concept of democracy, derived from Greek meaning 'rule of the people,' emphasizes collective decision-making rather than rule by a single individual, such as a king or queen. In a direct democracy, all citizens over 18 can vote on issues, like extending paternity leave, and even propose new topics if they gather 100,000 signatures. Alongside direct democracy, Switzerland also practices representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions on behalf of citizens. This system allows experts to handle complex issues while still enabling public participation and the expression of diverse opinions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The word 'Democracy' originates from Greek and means 'rule of the people.'
• 😀 Democracy means that decisions are not made by a single ruler, such as a king or queen, but by the people collectively.
• 😀 In a democracy, all citizens have the right to participate in decision-making processes.
• 😀 In a direct democracy, citizens over the age of 18 can vote for or against specific ideas or proposals.
• 😀 For example, people can vote on topics like extending parental leave for fathers who have just become parents.
• 😀 Citizens can initiate referendums by collecting 100,000 signatures within 1.5 years to propose a national vote on an issue.
• 😀 In a direct democracy, the public can actively engage in political decisions without needing to be politicians themselves.
• 😀 Citizens can vote on ideas from both the general public and elected politicians, particularly on constitutional or legal changes.
• 😀 Alongside direct democracy, Switzerland also has a system of representative democracy, where citizens elect individuals to represent their interests.
• 😀 Elected representatives make decisions at local, regional (cantonal), and national (federal) levels, bringing expertise to important issues.

Q & A

What does the word 'Democracy' mean?

The word 'Democracy' comes from Greek and translates to 'rule of the people.' This means that decisions are not made by a single person, like a king or queen, but by the people collectively.

How are democratic decisions made in a democracy?

Democratic decisions can be made in various ways, including direct democracy, where all citizens vote on decisions, and representative democracy, where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people.

What is the concept of direct democracy?

In a direct democracy, all citizens above the age of 18 are allowed to vote for or against a proposed idea. This can include voting on issues such as extended parental leave for fathers.

How can citizens propose issues to vote on in a direct democracy?

Citizens can propose issues by collecting 100,000 signatures within 1.5 years. If successful, a public vote (Volksabstimmung) is held to decide whether the proposal will be implemented.

What is the role of the people in direct democracy?

In direct democracy, citizens have the opportunity to engage with political ideas, assess them, and decide whether they support or oppose them. They can also propose their own ideas for consideration.

Do citizens need to be politicians to influence political decisions?

No, citizens do not need to be politicians to influence political decisions. They can submit proposals and vote on ideas, directly participating in the democratic process.

Can proposals from politicians also be voted on in a direct democracy?

Yes, in addition to proposals from citizens, proposals from politicians, including changes to the federal constitution or laws, can also be put to a vote in a direct democracy.

What is representative democracy?

In representative democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. These representatives are responsible for making informed decisions on important issues, often within local communities, cantons, or national parliaments.

How does representative democracy complement direct democracy?

Representative democracy complements direct democracy by allowing elected officials to focus on complex issues and specialize in certain areas, while citizens still have the power to vote on specific matters directly.

What is the advantage of having representatives in a democracy?

The advantage of having representatives is that they can dedicate more time to studying and addressing important issues. They are often more knowledgeable in specific areas and can make well-informed decisions for the public.