What is the definition of "indirect democracy"?

An indirect democracy is a government system in elected representatives govern in the interest of the people. This form of government is also known as a representative democracy or a republic.

The power of elected representatives in indirect democracies are normally checked by a constitution or set of laws. Measures to keep the power of representatives in check include an independent judiciary that reviews legislation or a bicameral legislature where the upper house is not directly elected. Today, all western-style democracies are forms of an indirect democracy. In a direct democracy, on the other hand, the people vote directly on public policy through referendums or initiatives.