What is a republican government?

Answer 1

A republican government is one where various states (or counites, etc) send representatives to a main body to enact legislations.

Whew. That sounds confusing. It is not.

A "true" democracy" would have every bill and law voted on by all people eligible to vote. Thus, all laws would have to be voted on in an "election" style ballot.

This works fine in small communities etc. The people gather for a weekly/monthly meeting at a town hall. A proposal is made, and everyone present gets to vote on whether the proposal should be passed.

But when you get to larger communities, or larger governments, it becomes cumbersome.

Instead, each area sends a representative to vote on behalf of the entire area. For example, each state sends two Senators to Congress to vote on the laws taht are passed. The Senator will reflect the will of the people (or get voted out), but the proposed laws are not directly voted on by the people.

Similarly, The House of Representatives sends representatives from areas of each state (based on population). They, then, vote the will of their constituents (or face the possibility of being voted out of office).

It would be utterly cumbersome and inefficient to have the people vote on each law. How would they be kept informed? How could the people hear the arguments? And if you think debates in Congress take a long time, imagine the length of debates when any citizen in America can speak on an issue!

So, a republican government is a way of saying a "representative" form of democracy.

Home this helps.

Good luck!

Answer 2

There is not a clear definition, but the concept is that as opposed to pure monarchy or dictatorship there is involvement of the people of the state in the direction of policy through their leaders. People often think the US is a democracy, but that's another term open to a lot of interpretation. What we actually have is a republic (leaders chosen by popular elections who are then free to govern as they choose) with a democratic forum.

Answer 3

A government where the ultimate source of authority is the will of the people, expressed democratically. (As opposed to a monarchy or dictatorship or oligarchy etc, etc...)

Or, in the USA, government based on extreme self-interest, although I assume your use of a lower cas "r" for republican means that you were asking a general question.

Answer 4

we in usa have capitalism not democracy or republican.
the political pariteis though named near the familiar forms of govt have different meaning.
there is a republic and a democracy we are not a pure form of either.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT - A government in the republican form; a government of the people; it is usually put in opposition to a monarchical or aristocratic government.

Answer 5

Seems to me these days it means "to disserve, and create chaos". Isn't that the basic foundation of the Republican platform?