Simone Lawson
The United States is often referred to as a democracy, but some argue that it is more accurate to describe it as a constitutional federal republic. The US government is based on the US Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. The Constitution establishes the federal government, defines its powers and structures, and protects the basic rights of all Americans. It also provides the framework for how the federal and state governments are structured and places significant limits on their powers. In a republic, the people assemble and administer the government by empowering their representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This is in contrast to a direct democracy, where the people directly govern. The US Constitution's framers created a democratic republic or a representative democracy, where people vote for representatives to govern on their behalf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Government | Constitutional Federal Republic, Constitutional Representative Democracy, Democratic Republic, Representative Democracy |
| Power | Held by the people but exercised by elected representatives |
| Constitution | Supreme law of the land, establishes the federal government, defines government's powers and structures, and protects the basic rights of all Americans |
| Federal | Power shared between national government and regional and local governments |
| Amendments | Article V of the Constitution describes the process of making an amendment |
| Trust in Government | Declining, according to the 2016 Democracy Report by The Economist Intelligence Unit |
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What You'll Learn
The US is a democracy
The United States is a democracy, since the people hold the ultimate political power. This is reflected in the democratic process, where representatives are elected to make decisions that are deeply influenced by public opinion. Citizens express their preferences through voting, emphasising the democratic spirit within the framework of a constitutional republic.
The US is a representative democracy, where people vote for representatives to govern on their behalf. This form of democracy was chosen over direct democracy, where all citizens vote directly on policies, due to the impracticalities and potential volatility of gathering all citizens in one place and time.
The US Constitution's framers created a democratic republic, blending democratic and republican models. This system includes foundational laws that protect individual rights and minority opinions against the potential tyranny of the majority. The Constitution provides a framework for the federal and state governments' structure and places limits on their powers.
The US government is federal, with power shared between a national government and regional and local governments of the 50 states. This federal system is a key feature of a constitutional republic, where power is carefully balanced and majority rule is tempered by statutory and constitutional boundaries.
While the US is often categorised as a democracy, some critics argue that it is more accurately defined as a constitutional federal republic. This debate centres on the role of representatives and the degree of democratic elements in the US system.
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The US is a republic
The United States is a republic. While the country is often categorized as a democracy, it is more accurately defined as a constitutional federal republic. The US government is based on a constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. This constitution provides a framework for how the federal and state governments are structured and also places limits on their powers.
A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power. In the US, people vote for representatives to govern on their behalf, and these representatives are deeply influenced by public opinion. This blend of democracy and republicanism ensures that the nation adheres to the desires of its citizens and to a larger, enduring legal and ethical framework.
The US Constitution's framers created what Americans today would call a democratic republic or a representative democracy. The Constitution itself, however, contains relatively few democratic elements. The president, senate, and judiciary are chosen by representatives, not by the people directly. Only the House of Representatives is directly elected.
Some critics have argued that the US is not a democracy, pointing out that the word "democracy" does not appear in the Constitution. They prefer to describe the US as a republic, emphasizing the role of elected representatives working within pre-established, rule-bound institutions.
In summary, while the US exhibits characteristics of both democracy and republicanism, its system of government is more accurately described as a constitutional federal republic, with representatives elected by the people executing their duties under the constraints of the Constitution.
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The US Constitution
The United States Constitution is a federal constitutional representative democracy, or a federal constitutional republic. The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, providing the framework for how the federal and state governments are structured and operate, and placing limits on their powers.
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Federalism
The United States can be defined as a federal constitutional republic, a federal constitutional democracy, or a federal constitutional representative democracy. The terms "federal" and "constitutional" refer to the US government's structure and the sources of its power.
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it establishes the federal government, defines its powers and structures, and protects the basic rights of all Americans. It provides a framework for how the federal and state governments are structured and places significant limits on their powers. The Constitution also includes Article V, which outlines the process of making an amendment—a change or addition to the Constitution—where Congress proposes an amendment and the states ratify it. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and limited federal power by protecting the rights of individuals and the authority of the states.
The US federal government is made up of three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative branch is Congress, which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is the only branch of the federal government that is directly elected by the people. The president, senate, and judiciary are chosen by representatives.
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The US is an oligarchy
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, a federal constitutional representative democracy, or a democratic republic. However, some critics argue that the US is an oligarchy.
Oligarchy is derived from the Ancient Greek word oligarkhia, meaning 'rule by a few'. It is a form of government where power is held by a small group of individuals, who may be distinguished by nobility, wealth, fame, education, or corporate, religious, political, or military control. Oligarchies are often viewed as oppressive and reliant on public obedience for their existence. Aristotle characterised oligarchy as 'rule by the rich', contrasting it with aristocracy.
A study by Princeton University Professor Martin Gilens and Northwestern University Professor Benjamin I Page concluded that the US is dominated by a rich and powerful elite. Their research found that economic elites and groups representing business interests have a significant influence on US government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little to no influence. This conclusion was based on an extensive review of survey responses from 1981 to 2002.
Other commentators have also criticised the influence of wealthy Americans on government decisions. Senator Bernie Sanders, for example, launched a "Fighting Oligarchy" tour to highlight attempts to reduce federal spending in favour of tax cuts for the rich. A 2025 survey by Data for Progress found that a plurality of voters, including 67% of Democrats and 61% of Independents, believe that the US is becoming more oligarchic.
In summary, while the US is officially a constitutional federal republic, there is a growing perception that it is becoming increasingly oligarchic, with a small, wealthy elite holding disproportionate power and influence over government policy.
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Frequently asked questions
America is both a constitutional and a representative republic.
A constitutional republic is a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power. The constitution acts as the supreme law of the land, establishing the federal government, defining its powers and structures, and protecting the basic rights of citizens.
A representative republic is a form of government in which the people "assemble and administer" by empowering "their representatives and agents" to make decisions.
America is also a democracy. The terms ""democracy" and "republic" are not mutually exclusive. America is a representative democracy, where people vote for representatives to govern on their behalf.
