What differentiates plebiscitary democracy from indirect democracy?

Plebiscitary democracy is characterized by the direct involvement of citizens in decision-making processes, particularly through mechanisms such as referendums or popular votes on specific issues or laws. This form of democracy allows individuals to express their preferences directly, rather than through elected representatives, making citizen participation a core component of its structure.

In contrast, indirect democracy, also known as representative democracy, relies on elected officials to make decisions and legislate on behalf of the citizens. Here, citizens vote for representatives, who are tasked with understanding their constituents' needs and preferences and making policy decisions accordingly.

Thus, the presence of direct citizen participation in lawmaking is what sets plebiscitary democracy apart, emphasizing a more active role for individuals in the governance process compared to the representative approach of indirect democracy.