What is the main difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?

The main difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy is that in a direct democracy, citizens have the power to vote on laws and policies themselves, leading to a system where every eligible voter directly participates in decision-making. This model emphasizes direct involvement in political processes, reflecting the will of the people without intermediary representatives.

In contrast, representative democracy operates on the principle that citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf. This approach is often utilized in larger and more complex societies where direct voting on every issue would be impractical. Therefore, the essence of direct democracy lies in direct citizen engagement in legislative processes, which is why the distinction presented in the correct answer is significant and foundational to understanding these two democratic forms.