Zemke: DAD, I’m having an important test about democracy next week. To be precise, about democratic countries… You know everything about it. Can you explain some things to me, to make it clear? It seems boring to me, but I still need to learn it.
DAD: Sure, let me break it down for you and make it more interesting. It’s important to understand how important democracy is. When you turn 18, you'll have the power to vote and be a responsible citizen.
Zemke: What will it really change?
DAD: A lot! You'll get to have a say in who runs your government and make choices that affect your own life. Trust me, once you understand it, it can be pretty fascinating. Let’s begin with representative democracy.
Zemke: Bring it on, dad.
DAD: It is also known as indirect democracy. This is the most common type of democracy you'll find around the world. In this system, individuals like you and I elect representatives to make laws and policies in our name.
Zemke: Is it the case in the United States?
DAD: Not only. Almost 60% of all nations use this type of democracy, including France ot the United Kingdom. And these representatives have to listen to the needs and opinions of the people when making decisions for the country.
Zemke: Let’s say it could be interesting. Dad, the first thing to learn on my list are types of democracies. Can you tell me about direct democracy?
DAD: It's the oldest democratic system of running things. In a direct democracy, the majority of people directly decide on all the laws and public policies instead of relying on representatives.
Zemke: Any examples?
DAD: Today, Switzerland is the only country that still practices this type of democracy, but there's a catch: it only happens in three of their counties. So, even though Switzerland isn't a fully direct democracy anymore, a popular vote can change any law passed by their national parliament. Pretty cool, huh?
Zemke: Does it mean that whatever the parliament decides, can be changed by the nation?
DAD: Bingo!
Zemke: WOW, that’s the real power of people!
DAD: People know it and use it any time they want changes.
Zemke: Got it. Now, let's talk about liberal democracy.
DAD: It's a kind of representative democracy, in which we practise our political power by voting in elections to choose our representatives, that puts a lot of emphasis on protecting individual rights and making sure the government doesn't have too much power. Liberal democracy relies on a constitution, which is like a rulebook that outlines how the government should work and keeps it separate from other powers.
Zemke: I know that constitutions can be written down, like in Poland, or not officially codified, like in the United Kingdom.
DAD: You’re right. In liberal democracies, the government can be either a constitutional monarchy (like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia) or a constitutional republic. The example of the United States shows that a country can be both a democracy and a republic. It is a republic because the elected representatives exercise political power. In practice, the word “republic” has the same meaning as the term “representative democracy.” Fancy, right?
Zemke: Fancy, indeed, but how to remember it all? I’ll have to work really hard this week. Now, let's move on to parliamentary democracy.
DAD: In this system, the members of parliament are elected by the people through a popular vote. Just like Poland, the parliament directly represents the people and makes important decisions for the country and its people. In countries with parliamentary democracies, the head of state is usually a…..
Zemke: A prime minister!
DAD: Correct. The prime minister is a member of the parliament and actively participates in the law‑making process. It's like a double role!
Zemke: Double role and double responsibility.
DAD: Now you tell me. What type of democracy is there in Poland?
Zemke: Well, there is the prime minister who is the head of government and the president who is the head of state….
DAD: So…
Zemke: … I think that Poland is a parliamentary republic.
DAD: Exactly! The government structure is centred on the council of ministers.
In Poland, next to the President, there is the chief constitutional body of the Executive. The Council of Ministers, in other words the government, is nominated by the President.
Zemke: And the last thing Dad, a constitutional democracy.
DAD: This form of government is based on the idea that the power lies with the people and that there are rules (a constitution) that everyone, including the government, has to follow.
Zemke: How do constitutions help?
DAD: Constitutions help limit the government's power by dividing it into different branches. The document is the most important law of the nation in constitutional democracies.
Zemke: It seems that democracy is not the same everywhere, and different countries have slightly different approaches to ruling their everyday life.
DAD: This is how it works. You must remember that the common ground in all types of democracy is the belief that the source of power is with the people. Citizens have the right to take part in the decision‑making process through voting and in some countries through electing representatives.
Did you know that the world celebrates the Day of Democracy on the 15th of September? That means that democracy is very important to people.
So remember that when you turn 18, it will also be your right to vote and take responsibility
Zemke: Thank you Dad, I owe you a lot!
