ESL Conversation Questions – Democracy

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is democracy?
2. Can you name a democratic country?
3. How do people vote in your country?
4. What is an election?
5. Who is the leader of a democratic country?
6. Why is voting important?
7. What are laws?
8. Can children vote in a democracy?
9. What happens if you don’t vote?
10. Do you know any famous leaders from democratic countries?
11. How do people choose a leader?
12. What is a government?
13. Are there rules in a democracy?
14. What is a political party?
15. Can you have a pet in a democracy?
16. What is freedom of speech?
17. Can people in a democracy choose their jobs?
18. What happens in a parliament?
19. Do you know any symbols of democracy?
20. Can women vote in a democracy?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. How does democracy differ from other forms of government?
2. Why is freedom of speech important in a democracy?
3. Can democracy be improved? How?
4. What are the responsibilities of a citizen in a democratic country?
5. How does the media influence democracy?
6. Should voting be mandatory in a democracy?
7. How does democracy promote human rights?
8. What are the challenges faced by democracies today?
9. Can democracy work without education?
10. Should there be an age limit for voting?
11. How do political parties affect democracy?
12. What role do protests play in a democracy?
13. How does technology impact democracy?
14. Is democracy the best form of government? Why or why not?
15. How does corruption affect democracy?
16. Can democracy exist without equality?
17. What is the role of a president or prime minister in a democracy?
18. How do international relations affect a country’s democracy?
19. What is the importance of local government in a democracy?
20. How can young people participate in a democracy?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. How does a pluralistic society impact the functioning of democracy?
2. Should the right to vote be extended to non-citizens in a democracy?
3. How do campaign finance laws affect the democratic process?
4. What is the role of checks and balances in a democracy?
5. Can a democracy restrict certain freedoms? Under what circumstances?
6. How do direct democracy and representative democracy differ?
7. What is the importance of independent judiciary in a democracy?
8. How does gerrymandering affect electoral fairness in a democracy?
9. Should democracies intervene in other countries’ affairs?
10. What are the effects of political polarization in a democracy?
11. How do cultural values shape a democracy?
12. What is the significance of minority rights in a democracy?
13. How does the education system influence democracy?
14. Can social media be a threat to democracy?
15. What are the pros and cons of coalition governments in a democracy?
16. How do lobbying and interest groups influence democracy?
17. What is the impact of populism on democratic institutions?
18. How does voter apathy affect the democratic process?
19. What is the role of civil society in a democracy?
20. How does the global economy influence national democracies?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Discuss the concept of deliberative democracy and its implications.
2. How do supranational entities like the EU influence individual democracies?
3. Analyze the impact of global migrations on democratic societies.
4. Debate the role of referendums in democratic decision-making.
5. Assess the effectiveness of proportional representation in elections.
6. Explore the relationship between democracy and environmental policies.
7. Examine the role of media literacy in sustaining a healthy democracy.
8. Discuss the balance between security and freedom in democratic societies.
9. Evaluate the impact of digital surveillance on citizens’ rights in democracies.
10. Explore the challenges of maintaining democracy in multicultural societies.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critically analyze the concept of “illiberal democracy.”
2. Debate the paradoxes of democratic societies in the 21st century.
3. Explore the implications of artificial intelligence on democratic governance.
4. Examine the relationship between economic inequality and democracy.
5. Analyze the role of disinformation in shaping public opinion in democracies.
6. Discuss the future of democracy in the age of globalization.
7. Evaluate the effects of political dynasties in democratic systems.
8. Examine how transitional democracies differ from established ones.
9. Analyze the impact of judicial independence on democratic stability.
10. Debate the effectiveness of grassroots movements in influencing democratic change.