Democracy vs. Republic Compiled By Min Maung (Samurai} The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications on minority rights. Both forms of government use a representational system where citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government. However, in a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a pure democracy, the majority is not restrained and can impose its will on the minority. Most modern nations are democratic republics with a constitution, which can be amended by a popularly elected government. Comparison chart: Democracy vs. Republic Edit this comparison chart Democracy .................. Constraints on the government No; the majority can impose its will on the minority Definition ............... is ruled by the omnipotent majority. In a Democracy, an individual, and any group of individuals composing any minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of the majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man. History ........... Originated in Classical Athens Sovereignty ................... is held by the whole population (as a group) Famous Examples ............................. Classical Greece, Rome Common confusion in the USA ................................................ People commonly confuse direct democracy with representative democracy. The US officially has a representative style, though many have suggested the US is closer to an oligarchy or plutocracy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic .................. Constraints on the government Yes; the majority cannot take away certain inalienable rights Definition ............... a constitutionally limited government, of the representative type, created by a written Constitution--adopted by the people and changeable by them only by its amendment--with its powers divided between three separate branches of government. History ........... Classical Rome Sovereignty ................... the people (individuals) Famous Examples ............................. United States Of America Common confusion in the USA ................................................ The US is actually a Republic. It is governed by rule of law. The elected is supposed to be bound by oath to the written governing limits (ie constitution) yet vote together and create laws to address concerns of the represented in a democratic way diffen/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 11:36:39 +0000
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