The difference between direct democracy and representative democracy lies in how citizens engage with governance. In direct democracy, citizens vote on policy issues directly, making decisions on laws and governance without intermediaries. This model allows for immediate expression of the public will but can be impractical for larger populations. Conversely, representative democracy involves electing officials to make decisions on behalf of citizens, allowing for a more manageable governance structure. This system relies on representatives to reflect the interests of their constituents while balancing practical governance demands.