The type of democracy where citizens elect leaders to represent them in government is called representative democracy (also known as indirect democracy or electoral democracy). In this system, citizens vote for representatives who then make decisions and pass laws on their behalf, rather than voting directly on every policy issue themselves
. Representative democracy is the most common form of democracy in modern states, including countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. It can take various forms such as parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, or constitutional democracy, depending on how the government is structured and how powers are distributed
. Key features of representative democracy include:
- Citizens elect representatives through free and fair elections.
- Elected representatives form legislative bodies (e.g., parliaments or congresses) to make laws.
- Representatives are accountable to the electorate and can be removed through subsequent elections.
- It allows for political parties and pluralism, balancing majority rule with minority rights.
- It contrasts with direct democracy, where citizens vote on laws and policies directly
In summary, representative democracy is a system where the electorate chooses officials to govern and make policy decisions on their behalf.
