I have my own opinion but want to hear other objective thoughts.
Serious question... serious answer, please? No hate!
2007-09-22 12:17:10 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Beatchanter - Looks like you've done your homework. Resource?
2007-09-22 12:57:20 · update #1
Both. Dictionaries at the time of our Revolution had the same definition for both, but Presdient Adams wanted to distinguish American Democracy from Mob Rule, so he called it at one point a Republic at another a Democracy. Truely we're a Democratic-Republic or a Representative-Democracy. Either term is most accurate. We're not a true Republic, because in a true Republic only land-owners vote. We're also not a complete Democracy because then everyone votes on every topic.
2007-09-22 12:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to take a look at the two terms. Our country is led in a republic style, and the reason is because we elect people to make most of the decisions for us. However, there's an aspect of democracy here too, as the people at large do vote for certain things. The problem with saying we're a democracy is the same as saying that any country has ever been purely communist, it just doesn't work and it never lasts long. The only example of a true democracy comes from Greece, and that government failed miserably.
2007-09-22 12:23:28 · answer #2 · answered by whiteflame55 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are a Representative Republic! Though some may call us a Democracy, we are not a real one, as there isn't a real one in existence!
If we were a true Democracy one thing that would have never happened was Bush being elected as he lost the popular vote!
Our forefather's did not want a Democracy. They didn't want 50% of anyone ruling the minority. That certainly isn't a democracy!
2007-09-22 12:26:36 · answer #3 · answered by cantcu 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the United States, Both.
SYLLABICATION:re·pub·lic
PRONUNCIATION: r-pblk
NOUN:1a. A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president. b. A nation that has such a political order. 2a. A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. b. A nation that has such a political order. 3. often Republic A specific republican government of a nation: the Fourth Republic of France. 4. An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation. 5. A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field: the republic of letters.
SYLLABICATION:de·moc·ra·cy
PRONUNCIATION: d-mkr-s
NOUN:Inflected forms: pl. de·moc·ra·cies
1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. 2. A political or social unit that has such a government. 3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. 4. Majority rule. 5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
2007-09-22 12:40:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are a representative republic. The citizens vote for representative and the representatives vote for and make laws. It is a form of democracy though not a true democracy because our founding fathers believed true democracy was no more than mob rule.
2007-09-22 12:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by Locutus1of1 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it's a republic
if it were a democracy our votes would directly count for the leaders and we would have the power to have national referendums on issues such as climate change so that the majority opinion would be expressed
instead, the republic was organized to balance power between the early state governors, and to this day that odd power structure is used
2007-09-22 12:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by MrPotatoHead 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The United States is a republic. We elect representatives to conduct the government's business, set government policy, and make laws. That is the textbook definition of a republic.
2007-09-22 12:22:53 · answer #7 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A democracy means governed by the peoples wants, needs, and desires. Do you feel like the officials representing you are voicing you and your district's wants, needs, and desires? A few years ago the people of the state of Kansas voted and passed the death penalty. The governor vetoed it three times. Do you feel he was representing the people who voted him into office? Are we a democracy?
2007-09-22 12:32:52 · answer #8 · answered by sts4metoo 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
we are a republic, the founders wanted the nation to be a republic over a fear of what migh happen if a democracy takes over.
2007-09-22 12:47:24 · answer #9 · answered by 100m-mustang track 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Remember the "Under the Republic for which it stands,one nation under God"
2007-09-22 12:28:16 · answer #10 · answered by ♥ Mel 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋