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Representative Government

Definition

A representative government is a system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws.

Related terms

Democracy: This is a form of government where power rests with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Representative government is a type of democracy.

Republicanism: This political ideology values liberty, rule of law, and emphasizes citizens' rights and responsibilities. It often supports representative forms of government.

Suffrage: Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections. In representative governments, suffrage determines who gets to select the representatives.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.