What type of government is run by elected representatives?

The correct answer is representative democracy, which is a type of government in which elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the citizens. This system enables the population to have a voice in governance by voting for individuals to represent their interests, thereby facilitating a more manageable and structured political process compared to direct democracy, where citizens vote on all issues directly.

In a representative democracy, the representatives are accountable to the electorate, and they can be voted out of office if they do not meet the needs or expectations of the people. This system balances the need for public participation in government with the practicalities of governing a larger population.

Unlike other forms of government such as monarchy, which is ruled by a single individual such as a king or queen, and oligarchy, where power is held by a small group of people, representative democracy emphasizes the role of the populace in selecting their leaders and influencing legislation through their votes. Direct democracy, while empowering citizens in a similar fashion, is less common in large nations due to logistical challenges in having the entire population vote on multiple issues regularly.