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

The proposal takes aim at Missouri’s century-old initiative petition process, a form of direct democracy that allows citizens to collect signatures to place policies on the ballot. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

To be sure, direct democracy is no guarantee of wise decision-making. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

While most constitutional changes proposed through this form of direct democracy have been unsuccessful, the referendum on limiting the Swiss population is expected to be close. — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 12 June 2026

While parliament and the government are against the plan — proposed by an isolationist group supported by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party — the rules of Swiss direct democracy now require that a plebiscite must be held. — Zoe Schneeweiss, Bloomberg, 27 May 2026

One key problem with California’s direct democracy is that voters are easily swayed by broad promises, but then lose interest in real-world outcomes. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for direct democracy

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