In which form of government do people elect representatives to act on their behalf?

Representative democracy is characterized by a system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and create laws on their behalf. This form of government allows for a more manageable decision-making process, especially in larger societies where direct participation of all citizens in every decision would be impractical.

In a representative democracy, elected officials are accountable to the electorate, meaning they must consider the views and needs of their constituents in their legislative actions. Additionally, this framework fosters a level of political organization and civil society participation, as citizens engage in the electoral process by voting, campaigning, and advocating for issues important to them.

In contrast, direct democracy entails citizens voting directly on laws and policies without intermediary representatives, which can be challenging to implement on a large scale. Oligarchy refers to a government run by a small group of people, often in favor of their own interests rather than representing the broader population. Monarchy involves a single ruler or royal family leading the state, where power may be inherited rather than exercised through elected representatives. Each of these alternatives highlights a distinct structure of governance that differs significantly from the representative democracy in which elected officials act on behalf of the people.