In a direct democracy people must reach an agreement over public policies and implement them.
The agreement should be based on rational discussions, which implies respect for basic individual human rights: free speech, free assembly, free movement, free economic entrepreneurship and the right to bear arms.
Freedom comes with responsibility, freedom of choice implies the risk of making bad decisions.

However, when people delegate their sovereignty to a group of individuals, then it is certain that decisions will be bad. Human nature and basic motivation ensure that masters will do anything they can to control their slaves.
#republic