Final answer:
In a direct democracy, citizens are directly involved in the law-making and governing process, as opposed to a representative democracy where they elect officials to make decisions for them.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a direct democracy, citizens come together to make laws and decide how to govern by voting. Unlike a representative democracy, where people elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, a direct democracy involves each citizen participating in the decision-making process. Examples of direct democracy can be seen in ancient Athens, where all male citizens could debate and vote on proposed laws. Although modern governments like that of the United States are typically representative democracies, elements of direct democracy exist in the form of referendums and local town meetings where citizens can vote directly on certain issues.