direct democracy

noun

plural direct democracies
: democracy in which the power is exercised directly by the people rather than through representatives : a form of government in which the people vote directly against or in favor of decisions, policies, laws, etc.
First, the United States is not a direct democracy and, as such, citizens do not make decisions themselves, [Professor Harry] Wilson writes. Instead, the power to make laws lies in the hands of their elected representatives in Congress.Matt Williams
also : a country, state, or territory whose form of government is direct democracy compare representative democracy

Examples of direct democracy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Voting rights advocates say the trend betrays the promise of direct democracy. Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025 Folks, here’s direct democracy — and the powerful post-separation motivation — in action. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 July 2025 Rayfield’s office says the case is a suitable vehicle for the Supreme Court to resolve if neutral requirements on direct democracy measures implicate the First Amendment. Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 June 2025 Zimmermann will discuss threats to direct democracy and voters' access to the ballot. Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025 Missouri Republicans, who control every statewide office and both chambers of the legislature, have targeted this mechanism for direct democracy in recent years. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025 The nationwide experience with direct democracy and reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade highlights the impact of the initiative process to check a state’s ability to circumvent the political will of the people. Mark Dorosin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025 In her role at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Zimmermann has worked through several legislative sessions to protect direct democracy in Arkansas. Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025 In states like New York and Massachusetts, direct democracy was already being used to elect governors. Justin Sherman, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of direct democracy was in 1629

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Cite this Entry

“Direct democracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct%20democracy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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