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direct democracy

American

[di-rekt di-mah-kruh-see, dahy-rekt] / dɪˈrɛkt dɪˈmɑ krə si, daɪˈrɛkt /

noun

government with direct rule by the people, without the involvement of elected representatives.

Example Sentences

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direct democracy

“To small communities sprinkled throughout the country, including in Ohio, you’re not alone. We’re united. And in those states in which you have the direct democracy route, go for it.”

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Switzerland's system of direct democracy means all major decisions are taken via the ballot box.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

Opinion polls suggest that both votes, put forward under Switzerland's direct democracy system, could be tight.

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

There can be issues with direct democracy, as Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice pointed out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2025

Given this difficulty about quite direct democracy over large areas, I think the nearest thing to democracy is despotism.

From What I Saw in America by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023