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

But for Hatfield, the months-long legal battle illustrated the importance of Missouri’s referendum process, a mechanism for direct democracy that allows citizens to collect signatures and challenge state laws. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

The ruling is a rare setback for Republicans’ nationwide gerrymandering push, as voting rights advocates hail it as a victory for direct democracy in Missouri. — David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

In this way, California can take an important step toward realizing the vision of direct democracy Hiram Johnson laid out over a century ago. — Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026

Missouri has been at the center of a national battle over direct democracy. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for direct democracy

• aristocracy
• meritocracy
• autocracy
• bureaucracy
• hypocrisy
• plutocracy
• theocracy