Which of the following countries operate a direct democracy?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which country operates a direct democracy, a system where citizens take part in decision-making themselves rather than only through elected representatives.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Direct democracy: Citizens vote directly on laws, policies, and constitutional changes. Its main tools are: • Referendum: a public vote on a specific issue or law. • Initiative: citizens propose laws by collecting signatures. • Recall: citizens remove an elected official. • Plebiscite: a vote to gauge public opinion.
• Indirect (representative) democracy: Citizens elect representatives who make laws on their behalf.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Russia: A semi-presidential federation with a strong executive. It is not a direct democracy.
• B. United Kingdom: A parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It is representative. Referendums such as Brexit (2016) are rare and usually advisory.
• C. United States of America: A presidential, federal, representative democracy (a republic). Some states allow ballot initiatives, but the national government is representative.
• D. Switzerland: Citizens regularly vote on laws and constitutional amendments through referendums and popular initiatives, several times a year. It is the best-known modern example of direct democracy. Some Swiss cantons even hold the Landsgemeinde, an open-air assembly where citizens vote by raising their hands.

Step 4: Answer Switzerland is the country that practises direct democracy.

Tip: Link Switzerland with "Swiss referendums". In JAMB Government, remember that ancient Athens was the classic example of direct democracy, and Switzerland is the main modern example. The UK and USA are given as examples of representative democracy.