What is the difference between direct and representative democracy?

Direct democracy means that every voter has the opportunity to make the final decision on an issue, for example in a referendum you are asked one question on a political decision.Wherass representative democracy is where you vote for a person that you believe will best represent your views. Therefore they vote on a variety of issues in parliament and your decision making power is delegated to them. So direct is you personally voting on every decision but representative is electing someone to do that for you. 

LA
Answered by Lucy A. Politics tutor

10730 Views

See similar Politics A Level tutors

Related Politics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is it that the power of the Prime Minister is so subject to change and variation?


Should the House of Lords be elected?


Explain and analyse three ways in which the process for selecting presidential candidates is open to criticism.


What is a referendum?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning