Eleanor Finch
Republicanism is a theory of government that emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good of the community. It is rooted in the political and civic ideas of classical antiquity, as expressed and practiced in the city-communities of Greece and the Republic of Rome. The Founders of the United States Constitution studied the Roman Republic and were influenced by Enlightenment philosophers such as Montesquieu and Rousseau, combining ideas of republicanism and liberalism to establish a constitutional government. The two principles of republicanism that underpin the Constitution are: rule by consent of the governed and sovereignty of the people, emphasizing liberty and rejecting corruption and inherited rule.
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What You'll Learn
Rule by consent of the governed
Republicanism is a theory of government that emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good of the community. It is rooted in the political and civic ideas of classical antiquity, as expressed and practised in the city-communities of ancient Greece and the Republic of Rome. The Founders of the United States studied the history of governments and were inspired by the Roman Republic, which was located in what is now Italy. They believed that a republican government would ensure fairness, common welfare, freedom, and prosperity.
The principles of republicanism include rule by consent of the governed and sovereignty of the people. This means that the people are the ultimate source of authority and that their consent is necessary for legitimate rule. In a republican form of government, the people directly or indirectly elect representatives to make laws that serve their interests and advance the common good. The Founders believed that the representatives they elected would create fair laws, and if they did not, the people could elect others who would.
The idea of rule by consent of the governed was a significant departure from the previous principle of monarchy, where a king ruled by the grace of God. Republicanism asserts that power should come from the people, not from a monarch or aristocratic elite. This shift in thinking led to the creation of a new republic based on the rights of individuals, with the conviction that the nation should govern itself.
The Founding Fathers of the United States wanted republicanism because they believed it would protect liberty and democracy. They recognized the importance of civic duty and military service as essential components of citizenship and patriotism. The Founders also believed that most people had civic virtue, which is the interest in having the government help all people and work for the common welfare.
In summary, the principle of "rule by consent of the governed" in republicanism means that the people are the source of political power and authority. They elect representatives to make laws on their behalf, and these representatives are accountable to the people. This form of government emphasizes the participation of citizens and prioritizes the needs of the community over individual interests.
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Sovereignty of the people
Republicanism is a system that replaces or accompanies inherited rule, emphasising liberty and rejecting corruption. It is a theory of government that highlights the participation of citizens for the common good of the community. The responsibilities and duties of citizens are paramount, and the exemplary citizen readily subordinates personal interests to public interests. In this system, the whole people are the rulers, not kings or aristocracies.
The idea of sovereignty of the people is a key principle of republicanism. This means that the people are the ultimate source of authority, and they directly or indirectly elect representatives to make laws that serve their interests and advance the common good. The people are seen as the source of all political power, and the government is derived from the great body of society, not from a favoured class or an inconsiderable proportion of it. Citizens are obligated to participate extensively and cooperatively in public affairs, and popular sovereignty is seen as the foundation of good government.
The Founding Fathers of the United States believed in the advantages of a republican form of government, which they saw as superior to both monarchy and pure democracy. They were influenced by the Roman Republic, which existed over 2000 years ago, and by Enlightenment philosophers such as Montesquieu and Rousseau, who put forward republican political ideas. The Founders believed that a republican government would ensure fairness, common welfare, freedom, and prosperity. They also believed that most people had civic virtue, which is the interest in having the government help all people, and that the people would select leaders who would work for the common welfare.
The United States Constitution, with its emphasis on republicanism, runs counter to the idea that a republic can only exist in a small territory. Montesquieu, for example, argued that in an extensive republic, the public good is sacrificed to private interests and is more difficult to achieve. However, James Madison turned this idea on its head, arguing that in any free society, people will naturally come together in groups to pursue common interests.
In summary, the principle of sovereignty of the people in republicanism means that the people are the ultimate source of power and authority, and they participate in governance through their elected representatives, who are expected to serve the interests and advance the common good of the community.
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Civic duty
The Founders believed that a republican government would ensure fairness, common welfare, freedom, and prosperity. They believed that the people would select leaders who would work for the common welfare, and that the laws made by their elected representatives would be fair. If the representatives did not make fair laws, they could be unelected, and others would be elected in their place.
In a republic, the people are the ultimate source of authority, and they elect representatives to make laws that serve their interests and advance the common good. This is in contrast to liberalism, which is concerned primarily with the personal and private rights of individuals. Republicanism stresses the public rights and obligations of citizens to cooperate in support of their community. Citizens are obligated to participate extensively and cooperatively in public affairs, and participation by citizens is the means to accountability in government.
In the United States, the question of civic duty was raised in presidential campaigns and during World War I. In the 1888 presidential election, Republicans emphasised that the Democratic candidate, Grover Cleveland, had purchased a substitute to fight for him in the Civil War, while his opponent, General Benjamin Harrison, had fought in numerous battles. In 1917, a great debate took place over Woodrow Wilson's proposal to draft men into the U.S. Army after the outbreak of war in Europe. Many said it violated the republican notion of freely given civic duty to force people to serve. However, Wilson was successful, and the Selective Service Act of 1917 was passed.
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Civic virtue
The Founders were influenced by the Roman Republic, which was located in what is now Italy. They believed that the advantages of a republican government included fairness, common welfare, freedom, and prosperity. Laws would be made by elected representatives, and these laws would be fair and would help everyone, not just a few favoured people.
The Founders also believed that military service was an important demonstration of patriotism and an essential component of citizenship. This was a civic duty and a way for citizens to signal their responsibility.
In the United States, the idea of civic virtue was taught to children in homes, schools, and churches. Adults also heard about civic virtue from their religious and political leaders.
Overall, civic virtue is an important aspect of republicanism, and it was a key factor in the formation of the United States government.
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Checks and balances
The US Constitution divides power among three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities that serve as checks on the power of the other branches. For example, the legislative branch, consisting of Congress, has the power to make laws, while the executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for enforcing those laws. The judicial branch, through the Supreme Court and other federal courts, interprets the laws and determines their constitutionality.
The system of checks and balances is designed to prevent any one branch from having too much power and to protect the rights and liberties of the people. For instance, the President has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. Similarly, the President appoints federal judges, but these appointments must be confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court can also check the power of the other branches by striking down laws that it deems unconstitutional.
The Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers, such as Montesquieu and Rousseau, who advocated for a system of checks and balances in government. They believed that dividing power and establishing a system of accountability would help protect individual liberties and prevent tyranny. This stood in contrast to traditional monarchies or aristocracies, where power was often concentrated in the hands of a few.
The US Constitution's system of checks and balances has been a fundamental aspect of American republicanism, shaping the country's political system and safeguarding against the concentration of power. It reflects the belief that the people are the ultimate source of authority and that their participation and civic duty are essential for a well-functioning republic.
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Frequently asked questions
The two principles of republicanism that underpin the constitution are popular sovereignty and majority rule.
Popular sovereignty is the belief that the people are the ultimate source of authority and that the government is derived from the "great body of society" rather than a favoured class or an inconsiderable proportion.
Majority rule is the principle that the sense of the majority should prevail and that the people have the right to choose their own officers and pass their own laws through representative bodies.
