What type of government is characterized by citizens ruling directly rather than through representatives?

Direct democracy is the type of government where citizens have the direct power to make decisions and participate in the legislative process without intermediaries. This system empowers individuals to engage in voting on specific issues, laws, and policies, facilitating a direct expression of the will of the people. Historical examples include the ancient Athenian system where citizens gathered in assemblies to vote on legislation and executive decisions.

In contrast, parliamentary democracy and representative democracy involve elected representatives making decisions on behalf of the citizens. In these systems, citizens vote for officials or parties who then enact laws, thus removing the direct involvement of the populace in day-to-day governance. Autocracy, on the other hand, is characterized by a single individual or a small group holding all power, diminishing citizen participation altogether.