Civics is taught in school to prepare citizens to be active members of society.

What is the main way a representative democracy differs from a direct democracy? citizens elect leaders who vote on the issues in a representative democracy, and citizens vote on the issues in a direct democracy. a representative democracy is modern, and a direct democracy is ancient. a representative democracy works better in small groups, and a direct democracy works better in large groups. citizens’ desires are ignored in a representative democracy, and citizens’ desires have a better chance of being heard in a direct democracy.