Which form of government is defined by citizens electing people to make decisions for them, with representatives creating laws in the best interest of the people?

• A. Direct Democracy
• B. Representative Democracy
• C. Monarchy
• D. Theocracy

Answer: (B)

In a representative democracy, citizens elect people to govern and make laws on their behalf. Those representatives debate, propose, and pass laws, and they stay accountable to voters in elections, so they work in the people’s interest. This setup is practical for larger populations because it avoids needing everyone to vote on every issue. It differs from direct democracy, where people vote on each law themselves. It also differs from a monarchy, where power rests with a king or queen, and a theocracy, where religious leaders guide government. The key idea is governance through elected representatives who make decisions for the community.