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

11126 Views

See similar Politics A Level tutors

Related Politics A Level answers

All answers ▸

AQA 2017 Topic 2 question b (actual): Two reasons why parliament shouldn't be considered 'irrelavant and all but powerless in the legislative process'.


Is the UK Parliament unfit for purpose?


Is there a primary conviction in the ideology of conservatism?


Besides referendums, explain ways democracy in the UK could be improved and what are the arguments against them?


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