This question was inspired by one of the answers to a question I posed earlier. I feel that America is a Democratic Republic (i.e. a Republic that practices Democracy). When I stated that we are a Democratic society one user stated that it was not, actually, a Democratic society but a "Republic". I don't think they are mutually exclusive but I'll let you decide. Here are a few short quotes from Wikipedia:
Republic
"In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control by the people of that state or country. Several definitions, including that of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, stress the importance of autonomy and the rule of law as part of the requirements for a republic."
Democracy:
"Democracy is, literally, rule by the people... The methods by which this rule is exercised, and indeed the composition of "the people" are central to various definitions of democracy..."
2006-06-13 10:47:00 · 5 answers · asked by Ben 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Just to expand on what has already been written, in a Democracy, the majority rules. If the majority decides that all left handed people should be enslaved, then they will be. This is what James Madison called a Mobocracy. Our country was founded as a Republic. Another aspect of a republic not mentioned in previous answers is the idea that the minority is spared from the tyranny of the majority. Just because the majority of people may want something doesn't necessarily make it right. Take slavery in the US for example. Or denying women the right to vote. I suppose Democracy can be too dangerous to those who do not fit in the standard social/economic profile of the time.
2006-06-13 11:21:48 · answer #1 · answered by Mykl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are exclusive. A true democracy would be what the definition states - rule by the people. It would in a sense lead to mob rule, where every issue is voted on by the populace.
A republic, or in our case a representative republic, tends to be based on a founding principle of law, and the citizenry vote to elect representatives for themselves in the various Houses of the legislatures. The US was set up as a republic, and was never intended to be a democracy.
2006-06-13 17:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a true democracy, everyone vote for every decision made. a republic, the people pick someone to represent them an make decisions for them. right now the US is ruled by a republic, because we pick people like a senator or governor to make decisions for us. the US at the time the Constitution was written was a mixture of both democracy and republic, representatives were sent by each state to voice the peoples opinion at the signing, but direct democracy was practice in every town.
2006-06-13 18:04:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simply put,a democracy is where everyone votes on every issue. A republic is where citizens vote for representatives (hence, the US). Closest thing to a democracy - The Roman Empire. The US was never a democracy.
2006-06-13 18:46:34 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. PhD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from what i remember from my political science course the main difference is that in a republic we use elected official to decide legisation and policy while in a democracy everyone decides. but of lately it seems that our elect officals no longer represent us in congress.
2006-06-13 17:52:49 · answer #5 · answered by bdwilson1976 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋