Eleanor Finch
A republic is a state in which political power rests with the public through their elected representatives. It is derived from the Latin phrase 'res publica', meaning 'public affair' or 'people's affair'. Modern republics are founded on the principle of popular sovereignty, with the people holding the ultimate political power. However, the question of whether a republic must have a constitution is complex. While some republics, like the United States, are explicitly referred to as constitutional republics, there are also countries without a written constitution that function as republics. Additionally, the presence of a constitution does not always guarantee the prevention of tyranny, as it can be written in a way that enables it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A republic is a state ruled by representatives of the citizen body. |
| Sovereignty | Sovereignty rests with the people. |
| Comparison with monarchy | A republic is in contrast to a monarchy, where political power rests with a monarch. |
| Comparison with democracy | A republic may be distinguished from direct democracy, though modern representative democracies are by and large republics. |
| Types | There are parliamentary republics, constitutional republics, and federal constitutional republics. |
| Examples | Examples of republics include the United States, Germany, Italy, India, and Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Election of representatives | Representation in a republic may or may not be freely elected by the general citizenry. |
| Tyranny | A constitution can be a safeguard against tyranny by preventing any office holder from getting to a position of absolute power. |
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What You'll Learn
The United States is a republic and a democracy
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, with power shared between a national government and the governments of the 50 states. It is also a democracy, as its citizens vote for representatives to govern on their behalf.
A republic is a state in which political power rests with the public through their representatives, in contrast to a monarchy. The term comes from the Latin phrase 'res publica', meaning 'public affair' or 'people's affair'. In a republic, representation may or may not be freely elected by the general citizenry. In many historical and modern republics, representation is based on personal status, and the right of representation and the process of election are narrowly constrained.
The United States is a democracy in that its citizens vote for their representatives, who then govern on their behalf. However, it is not a direct democracy, as the representatives are not bound to always act in accordance with the will of the people. In fact, in a 2014 study, two political scientists found that, on average, the policies representatives pursue are not dictated by public opinion. This is the mark of a flawed democracy or republic.
The United States Constitution does not use the term 'democracy', and the Framers of the Constitution were distrustful of democracy. They saw it as a potential cause of instability, and believed that direct democracies could only work in small city-states. However, the Constitution does establish the legitimacy of the United States president as resulting from the signing of the Constitution by nine states.
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Republics and monarchies
A republic is a state in which political power rests with the public, or the people, through their representatives. The term comes from the Latin phrase 'res publica', which means 'public affair' or 'people's affair'. In a republic, sovereignty is thought to rest with the people, although who is included in the category of 'the people' has varied throughout history. In many historical and modern republics, representation is constrained and the role of elections is limited.
A monarchy, on the other hand, is a form of government in which a hereditary monarch acts as the head of state. Constitutional monarchies are a special case, where the people elect governing bodies other than the monarch, and a constitution may limit the power of the monarch. Some constitutional monarchies operate similarly to republics, with parliamentary systems where the power of the monarch is greatly circumscribed, and a prime minister or similar leader exercises most of the political power.
In democracies, presidents are elected either directly by the people or indirectly by a parliament or council. In presidential and semi-presidential systems, the president is usually directly elected by the people, although in the United States, for example, the president is elected indirectly by an electoral college. In semi-presidential systems, there is also a prime minister as the head of government, with important powers.
The United States, for example, is both a democracy and a republic, or more specifically, a federal constitutional representative democracy or a federal constitutional republic. The US system of government is considered constitutional because the power exercised by the people and their representatives is bound by the constitution and the broader rule of law.
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Republican ideas in Asia
A republic is a state where political power is vested in the public or their representatives, as opposed to a monarchy. While a republic is often a single sovereign state, subnational state entities with republican governments may also be referred to as republics. Representation in a republic may or may not be freely elected by the general populace.
Republican ideas have had a presence in Asia, with the United States exerting considerable influence in East Asia in the latter half of the 19th century. The liberal and republican writers of the West, along with Protestant missionaries, played a pivotal role in spreading these ideas. These influences combined with native Confucian-inspired political philosophies, which asserted the right of the people to reject unjust governments that had lost the "Mandate of Heaven". The most prominent leader of this movement was Sun Yat-sen, whose "Three Principles of the People" blended American, European, and Chinese ideas. Under his leadership, the Republic of China was established on January 1, 1912.
In the context of Asian Americans, a survey of Asian adults conducted from July 2022 to January 2023 revealed that about 34% of Asian American registered voters are Republicans or lean towards the GOP. This percentage is higher among older age groups, with 43% of Asian voters aged 65 and above identifying as Republicans or Republican-leaning. Additionally, Asian registered voters with lower levels of education tend to show greater support for the GOP, with 45% of those with a high school diploma or less education leaning Republican, compared to 30% of those with a bachelor's degree.
Regarding the impact of the Republican Party's policies on Asia, the "Trumpist" ideology, characterized by white nationalism, America First, hostility towards Islam and diversity, border control, and disinterest in foreign policy, may have significant implications. Trump's support for Japanese and South Korean nuclearization, for instance, has sparked debate. While some view it as a positive step for these liberal democracies, others question the overall benefits of prolonged US intervention in regions like the Persian Gulf and its potential impact on American security.
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The role of the president
A republic does not necessarily have to have a constitution. However, the term "constitutional republic" is used to highlight the emphasis on the separation of powers in a given republic. Most modern republics use the title "president" for the head of state.
- Executive Leadership: The president is the highest executive leader in a republic and is responsible for overseeing the execution of laws and policies. They may also have the power to appoint other executive officials.
- Treaty Negotiation: The president may have the power to negotiate and sign treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate or other legislative body.
- Ambassadorial Appointment: The president typically appoints ambassadors, ministers, and consuls with the advice and consent of the Senate or other relevant body.
- Judicial Nomination: In some republics, the president nominates judges for the supreme court or other high courts, subject to confirmation by the legislative body.
- Legislative Collaboration: The president works closely with the legislature to pass laws and ensure effective governance. In some cases, the president may have the power to veto legislation.
- Ceremonial Duties: In certain republics, the president's role is largely ceremonial, with limited political power.
- State Representation: The president represents the republic domestically and internationally and may be responsible for conducting foreign relations.
- Emergency Powers: In times of crisis or emergency, the president may have special powers to take swift action to protect the republic.
- Veto Power: In some republics, the president has the power to veto legislation passed by the legislature, providing a check on legislative power.
- Commander-in-Chief: In many republics, the president serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, overseeing military strategy and national security.
It is important to note that the specific powers and duties of a president can vary significantly between different republics, and they may be constrained by a constitution or other governing documents.
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Safeguards against tyranny
The US Constitution safeguards against tyranny through several mechanisms, including separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and protection of individual rights.
Firstly, the Constitution establishes a separation of powers by dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judiciary. This prevents the concentration of power in a single branch and acts as a safeguard against tyranny. The legislative branch, consisting of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, is responsible for creating laws. The executive branch, led by the President, executes these laws, while the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, interprets and applies the law.
Secondly, the Constitution incorporates a system of checks and balances, where each branch of government can hold the others accountable and prevent the accumulation of power in one entity. This system ensures that the government bodies stick to the law and protects the rights of citizens.
Thirdly, federalism is a system of government where power is divided between the national government and state and local governments. This ensures that government offices are distributed across different geographical areas, providing a further check on authority and preventing the centralization of power.
Additionally, the Constitution protects individual rights from governmental overreach. For example, the Writ of Habeas Corpus allows individuals to petition the courts to review the legality of their detention, ensuring that no one can be held without just cause. The Constitution also prohibits Bills of Attainder, preventing Congress from passing laws that arbitrarily punish individuals or groups.
The Founding Fathers, influenced by 18th-century French philosopher Montesquieu, recognized the importance of separating powers and establishing checks and balances to prevent tyranny. They were familiar with past tyrannical regimes and sought to create a government that protected individual rights and liberties.
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Frequently asked questions
A republic is a state ruled by representatives of the citizen body, and modern republics are founded on the idea that sovereignty rests with the people. A constitution is a safeguard against tyranny, preventing any office holder from getting to a position of absolute power. Therefore, it can be said that a republic should have a constitution to ensure the power of the people is maintained.
A republic is a state in which political power rests with the public (people) through their elected representatives, in contrast to a monarchy, where a royal family holds power.
The United States, Germany, Italy, India, and Trinidad and Tobago are some examples of republics.
