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Democracy VS Republic

Definition

D- Rule 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.

R- A republic is similar to a representative democracy except it has a written constitution of basic rights that protect the minority from being completely unrepresented or overridden by the majority.

Constraints on the government

D- No; the majority can impose its will on the minority.R- Yes; the majority cannot take away certain inalienable rights.PhilosophyD- All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions.

R- All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions with protection of unalienable rights to individuals.Famous ExamplesD- Classical Greece, RomeR- United States of America

Sovereignty is held by

D- the whole population (as a group)

R- the people (individuals)

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.The US is actually a Republic. It is governed by rule of law. The elected are 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

Free Choice

D- Individuals may make decisions for themselves except insofar as a majority faction has limited individuals.

R- Individuals may make decisions for themselves, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with freedom of choice.Political

System

D- Democratic. [Note: this is not meant as a reference to a Democratic Party.]

R- Republican. [Note: this is not meant as a reference to a Republican Party.]

Religion

D- Generally, freedom of religion is permitted, although a majority faction may limit religious freedom for a minority faction

R- Generally, freedom of religion is permitted, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with freedom of religion

Economic System

D- Elected by the voters or their elected representatives. Usually capitalist or Keynesian.

R- Elected by the voters or their elected representatives. Usually capitalist or Keynesian.

Private Property

D- Generally, private property is permitted, although a majority faction may place limits on property rights.

R- Generally, private property is permitted, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with property rights.

Discrimination

D- In theory, all citizens have an equal say and so are treated equally. However, often allows for the tyranny of the majority over the minority.

R- In theory, all citizens have an equal say and so are treated equally by the government, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on government discrimination.

Variations

D- Direct democracy, parliamentary democracy, representative democracy, presidential democracy.

R- Democratic republics, Constitutional republics.

Key Elements

D- Free elections.

R- Free elections, constitution.

Way of Change

D- Voting

R- Voting

Observation in practice

D- People commonly confuse direct democracy with representative democracy. The US has a representative style. But the will of the people shouldnt easily decide to change the rules that limit power to the government.

R- The U.S.A.'s Constitution clearly shows the U.S. as a Republic, Article 4, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution

What is a Democracy?

A democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have the right to equal participation, either directly or through elected representatives, in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. To put it in very simple terms, it is a form of government where people choose their own government and the voice of the majority rules. Once the majority is established, the minority has no say.

What is a Republic?

The term "republic" as used today refers to a representative democracy with an elected head of state, such as a president, serving for a limited term. Even in a republic, it's the voice of the majority that rules through chosen representatives; however, there is a charter or constitution of basic rights that protects the minority from being completely unrepresented or overridden.

Are a Democracy and Republic Mutually Exclusive?

There are many who make this statement: “The United States is a republic, not a democracy”. This makes it seem like a democracy and a republic are mutually exclusive. They usually aren't; usually a republic is a type of representational democracy with some checks and balances enshrined in the constitution that safeguard the rights of minorities. A "pure" democracy would imply the rule of the majority in every sphere of life, without such safeguards.

Is the United States a Democracy or Republic?

The U.S. is a republic. Though it is now common for people, including American politicians, to refer to the U.S. as a "democracy," this is shorthand for the representational republic that exists, not for a pure democracy. The republic continues to be mentioned in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was written in 1892 and later adopted by Congress in 1942 as an official pledge.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

While the founders disagreed regarding the role of the federal government, none sought to build a pure democracy.

"We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments." —Alexander Hamilton

"It is, that in a democracy, the people meet and exercise the government in person: in a republic, they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents. A democracy, consequently, must be confined to a small spot. A republic may be extended over a large region." —James Madison

Americans directly elect council members, governors, state representatives and senators, and numerous other officials. (However, senators were indirectly elected in the past.) Some other officials, such as mayors, may or may not be directly elected.

The president is indirectly elected via the electoral college. The legislative and executive branches then appoint a variety of officials to their positions. For example, the president (executive branch) nominates a justice to the Supreme Court when a seat needs to be filled; the Senate (legislative branch) must confirm this nomination.

Sited: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic