What form of government is characterized by power held by the people and exercised through representatives?

The form of government characterized by power held by the people and exercised through representatives is known as representative democracy. In this system, citizens elect representatives who make decisions and create laws on their behalf. This allows for a more practical approach to governance, especially in larger societies where direct participation by every citizen in every decision would be unmanageable.

In representative democracy, elected officials are accountable to the electorate, which ensures that the government reflects the will of the people. This system encourages civic engagement, as citizens have the opportunity to vote and influence government policy through their chosen representatives.

In contrast, the other options describe different systems that do not emphasize the role of elected representatives. Direct democracy involves citizens voting on laws and policies directly, which is often impractical in larger populations. Authoritarianism describes a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small elite, with little to no input from the general population. Oligarchy refers to a government controlled by a small group of individuals, which can limit the broader representation of the populace's interests.