Left or Right?

That is incredibly naive, Oscad. You are assuming a society exists where people are altruistic, benevolent and act entirely as individuals. Societies have some people like that, but the overwhelming majority are either selfish, cruel, powerhungry or under the influence of others. That is not to mention how different groups have different conceptions of how education should be implemented.

Just imagine a hypothetical debate over the legalisation of same-sex marriage, abortion or marijuana. Would you really trust those to a direct majority decision? To a population that might well be bigoted, conservative of under strong influence from religious groups? A lack of strong government is not the same as a lack of influential groups, many of which have intentions no nobler than those of your regular dictator.

A direct democracy is a terrible way of ensuring continued progress in society, because people don't necessarily want progress for anyone outside their immediate circle, and that's just human nature: we care for our own. That is why we need representatives from all those different groups in a position to effectively defend the rights and interests of those they represent. An engaged citizenry is immensely important, as Fornoire has said, but it should happen in the context of a representative democracy, not a direct or anarchic one.