Direct democracy

A system of government in which citizens decide public policy themselves, rather than relying solely on elected representatives. It ranges from assemblies to binding votes on specific questions.

Referendum: A direct vote in which an electorate decides a specific political question. It is the best-known way citizens decide policy without delegating the final choice.
Athenian democracy: The political system of classical Athens in which male citizens directly participated in assemblies and public institutions. It is a landmark example of citizens governing through assembly rather than modern representation.
Representative democracy: A system in which citizens elect officials to make political decisions on their behalf. It contrasts citizens making decisions themselves with decisions entrusted to elected officials.
Majoritarianism: A political principle that gives the preferences of a majority decisive authority. Direct votes can turn majority preferences into policy with few intermediary checks.
Initiative: A procedure allowing citizens to propose a law or constitutional change, often for a public vote. It lets citizens place proposals on the political agenda themselves.
Swiss democracy: Switzerland's political system, combining elected institutions with frequent popular votes and citizen initiatives. It demonstrates how direct votes can operate alongside representative government.
Participatory democracy: A democratic approach that seeks broad citizen involvement in political decisions and institutions. It can include direct votes but also participation that does not transfer final authority to citizens.
Tyranny of the majority: The use of majority power to oppress or disadvantage minority groups. It is a central concern when popular votes determine rights or protections.
Recall election: A vote in which an electorate decides whether to remove an elected official before the end of their term. It applies direct voting to the continued authority of officeholders.
Landsgemeinde: An open-air assembly in certain Swiss cantons where eligible citizens vote on public matters by raising their hands. It preserves a rare, large-scale form of public assembly voting.

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