Which type of democracy allows voters to make decisions on issues directly?

Direct democracy is a system of government where citizens have the direct opportunity to participate in decision-making on specific issues rather than electing representatives to make those decisions on their behalf. This form of democracy enables voters to engage in processes such as referendums or initiatives where they can vote directly on particular legislative proposals or policies.

By allowing individuals to vote on issues ranging from constitutional amendments to local laws, direct democracy emphasizes the role of the individual in shaping government policy. This contrasts with representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions for the populace, and thus highlights the fundamental principle of citizen empowerment in governance that direct democracy embodies.

While participatory democracy engages citizens in a more active role in political processes, it still often involves representatives or appointed individuals making the final decisions rather than direct voter involvement on every issue. Hence, the distinguishing feature of direct democracy is the direct engagement of voters in the decision-making process.