representative democracy

American  

[rep-ri-zent-uh-tiv-di-mahk-ruh-see] / ˌrɛp rɪˈzɛnt ə tɪv dɪˈmɑk rə si /

noun

plural

representative democracies

1. a political system in which the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf in a governing body.

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Other Word Forms

• unrepresentative democracy noun

Example Sentences

That makes the rich especially valuable in a representative democracy like the U.S., where policy is normally shaped by the play of public opinion, competition among interest groups and the weight of a permanent bureaucracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Next time, he should consider learning how representative democracy works.

From Slate • May 31, 2025

“It does undermine a little bit the theory of representative democracy if you don’t even know who represents you election to election,” Spencer said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023

“It makes sense. But in terms of representative democracy, it’s certainly not great.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023

This being a direct rather than a representative democracy, membership of the demos, or sovereign body, was by right rather than by election, and every decision was taken on a one-man, one-vote basis.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith