What term describes a government where representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of citizens?

The term that describes a government where representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of citizens is representative democracy. In this system, citizens have the opportunity to exercise their political power by voting for individuals who they believe will best represent their interests and make decisions aligned with their values. This structure allows for a more organized and efficient method of governance, especially in larger societies where direct participation by all citizens in every decision would be impractical.

Representative democracy ensures that elected officials are accountable to the electorate, as citizens can vote them out of office in subsequent elections if they do not fulfill their responsibilities or align with the constituents' wishes. This system is fundamental to many modern nations and is a key aspect of the concept of popular sovereignty, where the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed.