I'll give you a question, please answer with step-by-step reasoning process.
A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States -- principally in New England -- since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government. This is a town-or city-level meeting where decisions are made, in contrast with town hall meetings held by state and national politicians to answer questions from their constituents, which have no decision-making power.\n\nBased on this passage, town meetings practiced in many small new england towns are examples of what?

a form of direct democratic rule
To answer the question, consider the following: A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States -- principally in New England -- since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government.

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Final answer: a form of direct democratic rule