Your Politics Guide | Representative Democracy

Representative democracy, also known as indirect democracy, is a system where the electorateAll the people who are entitled to vote in an election. elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf (hence the name).
It is the most common form of democracy in modern states.
Examples include: the UK Parliament, the US Congress and the German Bundestag.
It allows for decisions to be made through expertise, however it can sometimes lead to less direct public influence which causes unsatisfactory results.
In a representative democracy, an independent judiciary must exist.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Politicians are often experienced to make complex decisions.	Can lead to less direct public influence over decisions.
Most practical form of democracy.	Representatives might not act in the best interests of the electorate.
Elected politicians are held accountable through regular elections.	Risk of representatives being influenced by pressure groups or lobbyists.
Minority rights are protected through representation.	Voter apathy may increase if citizens feel their votes don't matter.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Politicians are often experienced to make complex decisions.

Can lead to less direct public influence over decisions.

Most practical form of democracy.

Representatives might not act in the best interests of the electorate.

Elected politicians are held accountable through regular elections.

Risk of representatives being influenced by pressure groups or lobbyists.

Minority rights are protected through representation.

Voter apathy may increase if citizens feel their votes don't matter.