Which statement describes the type of democracy present in the United States at the federal level?

The type of democracy present in the United States at the federal level is best described as indirect democracy. This form of democracy, also known as representative democracy, is characterized by the election of officials who then make decisions on behalf of the citizens. In the U.S. system, citizens have the right to vote for their representatives in Congress, the Presidency, and other federal positions, enabling them to influence government policy through their elected officials rather than voting directly on every issue.

This structure allows for a more practical governance system, particularly given the large population and vast geographic area of the country. It acknowledges the complexity of political decisions that often require specialized knowledge, which elected representatives can acquire and utilize effectively.

In contrast, plebiscitary democracy refers to a system where direct votes by the electorate are taken on key issues, typically bypassing the legislative body. Direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on laws and policies rather than through elected representatives, which is not the case at the federal level in the U.S. Technocratic democracy refers to governance by technical experts rather than elected officials, which again does not capture the representative nature of the U.S. federal system. Thus, indirect democracy accurately reflects the political framework established in the United States.