Final answer:
In a representative democracy, like that of the United States, citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf, rather than participating in direct voting on all legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to run the government on their behalf. This is opposed to a direct democracy, where citizens vote on laws and policies themselves. The United States operates as a representative democracy, also known as a republic, where elected officials at local, state, and federal levels make legislative decisions for the populace. The representatives are tasked with making policies, passing laws, and representing the interests of their electorates. Such a system blends democracy with a structured framework to facilitate decision-making on a wider scale, catering to a nation's complex and diverse needs.
In a representative democracy, the concept of a social contract is often implied, suggesting that individuals collectively concede some levels of freedom to gain protection and organization provided by the state. While direct democratic elements like ballot initiatives and referendums do exist in the U.S., the core operation of its government is based on elected individuals who reflect the majority's will while protecting minority rights, exemplifying the balance sought within a republic.