Direct democracy is when the people vote directly on the laws or other issues that are proposed. Indirect democracy is when the people elect representatives who vote on laws on the behalf of the people. An example of indirect democracy is when we elect people to Congress to represent us.

Direct Democracy:
Direct democracy is a form of government in which citizens have a direct say in the decision-making process. It is characterized by active citizen participation and the absence of elected representatives. In a direct democracy, all citizens have an equal opportunity to express their opinions and vote on issues that affect them.

Indirect Democracy:
Indirect democracy, also known as representative democracy, is a form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. These elected representatives are responsible for representing the interests of the people and making decisions in the best interest of the country as a whole.

Differences between Direct and Indirect Democracy:

1. Decision-Making Process:
- Direct Democracy: In a direct democracy, citizens directly participate in the decision-making process. They have the power to propose, discuss, and vote on laws and policies.
- Indirect Democracy: In an indirect democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. The elected representatives are responsible for making laws and policies.

2. Citizen Participation:
- Direct Democracy: Direct democracy encourages active citizen participation. Citizens have the opportunity to voice their opinions and directly influence the decision-making process.
- Indirect Democracy: In an indirect democracy, citizen participation is limited to voting for representatives during elections. The decision-making process is primarily carried out by elected officials.

3. Efficiency:
- Direct Democracy: Direct democracy can be time-consuming and inefficient due to the need for extensive citizen participation. It may be difficult to gather all citizens for decision-making processes, especially in large populations.
- Indirect Democracy: Indirect democracy is generally more efficient as decisions are made by elected representatives who have the necessary expertise and resources to analyze complex issues.

4. Representativeness:
- Direct Democracy: Direct democracy ensures that every citizen has an equal opportunity to voice their opinions and vote on issues. However, it may not guarantee equal representation for marginalized or minority groups.
- Indirect Democracy: Indirect democracy allows for the election of representatives who can represent the interests of different groups within society. It provides an opportunity for diverse perspectives to be considered in the decision-making process.

5. Accountability:
- Direct Democracy: Direct democracy promotes a high level of accountability as citizens are directly involved in decision-making. They can hold themselves and others accountable for the decisions made.
- Indirect Democracy: In an indirect democracy, elected representatives are accountable to the citizens who elected them. They can be held accountable through regular elections and public scrutiny.

In conclusion, direct democracy involves active citizen participation in decision-making, while indirect democracy relies on elected representatives to make decisions on behalf of the citizens. Both forms of democracy have their advantages and disadvantages, and their effectiveness depends on the specific context and needs of a country.