What distinguishes direct democracy from representative democracy?

Direct democracy is characterized by the direct involvement of citizens in the decision-making processes of government. In a direct democracy, individuals have the opportunity to vote on specific policies, laws, and initiatives directly rather than through elected representatives who make those decisions on their behalf. This form of governance emphasizes active citizen engagement and participation, allowing the electorate to have a more direct influence on legislative outcomes.

In contrast, representative democracy entails a system where citizens elect representatives who then make decisions on their behalf. This delegation means that the majority of governmental decision-making is conducted by elected officials, and citizens must trust those representatives to act in their best interests.

While factors such as voting mechanisms, time involved in decision-making, and the role of elected officials can vary within different systems of governance, the hallmark distinction lies in the level of direct citizen participation. This is what fundamentally sets direct democracy apart from representative democracy.