What is Direct Democracy?

Direct democracy is characterized by a system in which all members of the polity directly participate in decision-making processes. This form of governance allows individuals to discuss and vote on policies and legislation without intermediaries. Unlike representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions on behalf of the citizens, direct democracy emphasizes the involvement of the populace in political discussions and decision-making. This participation can take various forms, such as referendums or initiatives, where citizens have the opportunity to vote directly on specific issues or laws.

The other options highlight different governance structures, but they do not encapsulate the essence of direct democracy. A system where elected representatives decide policy pertains to representative democracy, while methods of electronic voting are concerned with the mechanisms of voting rather than the underlying system of governance. Similarly, a government system based on party representation refers to structured political systems where parties play a key role in decision making, deviating from the direct involvement of all members in policy discussions.