Which term refers to a democracy where elected officials represent a group of constituents?

The term that refers to a democracy in which elected officials represent a group of constituents is representative democracy. In this model, citizens hold the power to vote for their leaders and representatives who make decisions and create laws on their behalf. This system allows for a more practical approach to governance, especially in larger populations where direct participation of all citizens in every decision would be logistically challenging.

In representative democracy, the elected officials are accountable to their constituents, meaning they must listen to their needs and concerns to remain in office. This form of democracy emphasizes the role of elected representatives in articulating and addressing the interests of the public, creating a balance between popular vote and effective governance.

In contrast, direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on laws and policies rather than through representatives. Participatory democracy emphasizes broad participation and engagement of citizens in political processes, but still often relies on some form of representation. Authoritarian democracy typically describes a system where democratic processes exist but are heavily regulated and controlled by the state, undermining genuine representation. Thus, in the context of elected officials representing constituents, representative democracy is the most accurate term.