Do you think the republic form of government?

Question

Do you think the republic form of government that formed in Rome would be successful in the United States today? Why or why not? Give examples to support your answer.

Answer 1

We are a democratic republic. Look at the writings by the founding fathers and they talk about the "republic" and "republican" government.

I would say our republican system has been pretty successful over the last 230+ years. We have survived countless threats from abroad, survived a civil war, expanded from 13 states to 50 states and several territories, have seen our population expand by 100 times, and have one of the most prosperous society in human existence.

Answer 2

Hmmm, I feel like I'm doing somebody's homework for them, but the question is intriguing.

I don't think it would work in the U.S. because the Roman Republic depended upon a division of classes which Americans would not tolerate today. We are drunk on "equal rights for all."

Besides, Roman senators (at least in the early and middle periods) were rich and aristocratic. In America, anyone can shoot for the moon no matter what his background or economic status.

The Roman Republic was backed by the power of the aristocracy. Even though laws were approved by an assembly of "citizens" it was a small group of noble families who held the magistracies so the "people" really didn't have any say or power.

And of course, the groups of the rich and powerful voted first; those to which the poorest people were alloted voted last. And since the results were declared once you got a simple majority, the poor rarely voted at all! And voting took place only at Rome, with the consequence that those living in rural areas were usually unable to vote.

Really, the Roman Republic was only nominally a democracy as we understand it today. But there's one thing I wish we had emulated and that was barring women from holding political office.

Answer 3

You'd have to be more specific. Are you referring to the republic form of government in ancient Rome or later Roman periods?

Also, as we are a republic with some of the key components of those that existed in ancient Rome, what specific elements of Rome's republic are you referring too? It's difficult to answer without a more specific question.