What is a representative democracy?

• A. Citizens vote directly on every issue.
• B. Eligible voters elect representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
• C. The judiciary appoints leaders.
• D. Power rests with a central committee.

Answer: (B)

Representative democracy is a system in which citizens elect individuals to act on their behalf and make political decisions for the community. This arrangement lets people influence government through elections while trusted representatives handle day-to-day governance, debate complex policies, and make decisions that would be impractical for everyone to vote on directly. It also provides accountability: if voters are unhappy with how representatives perform, they can choose new leaders in the next election. The other descriptions describe different setups—voting on each issue directly, leaders appointed by the judiciary, or power held by a central committee—none of which capture governing through elected representatives.