What is one of the inherent criticisms of direct democracy?

One of the inherent criticisms of direct democracy is that it often results in a lack of informed decision-making. This viewpoint arises from the concern that not all citizens have the same level of knowledge or understanding regarding complex political issues. In a direct democracy, where every citizen votes on policies or laws directly rather than through elected representatives, decisions can be made based on emotions, populism, or misinformation rather than a careful consideration of facts and consequences.

This lack of informed decision-making can lead to outcomes that may not serve the best interests of the community or society as a whole. When decisions are made in haste or without a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand, the risk increases that the resulting policies will be ineffective or detrimental. Consequently, critics argue that a system reliant on direct input from all citizens may suffer from fluctuating public opinions and potentially harmful choices that could destabilize governance.

In sum, while direct democracy champions the involvement of citizens in governance, it can also create challenges concerning the quality of decision-making, making it one of the critical criticisms associated with this system.