A republic is a government governed by a charter or constitution that limits power to protect individual rights, while a democracy is governed by the will of the majority. Variations exist, such as representative democracy and constitutional democracy, but in both types, decisions are made by the people or their representatives. A true democracy lacks legal protection for minorities, while a republic or constitutional democracy grants rights to individuals or minority groups to prevent their violation by the majority.
By definition, a republic is a representative form of government that is governed according to a charter, or constitution, and a democracy is a government that is governed according to the will of the majority. While these forms of government are often confused, they are quite different. The main difference between a republic and a democracy is the charter or constitution which limits power in a republic, often to protect the rights of the individual against the wishes of the majority. In a true democracy, the majority rules in all cases, regardless of any consequences for individuals or those who are not a majority on an issue.
variations
Adding to the confusion about the difference between the two forms of government is the fact that, in practice, there are many variations of each. For example, a representative democracy is one in which, like a republic, officials are elected to vote on behalf of the people on most issues, rather than having all citizens vote on every issue. Furthermore, a constitutional democracy is a representative democracy in which the power of the government is limited by a constitution. In essence, this is a republic, so for practical purposes, the difference between a republic and a constitutional democracy is often largely semantic.
Government of the people
In both types of government, decisions are made by the people or their representatives rather than by a monarch. The head of state, in most cases, is referred to as the president and is elected by the people, directly or indirectly. Government representatives in both types of government are also elected by the people. In a direct democracy, where the people themselves vote on all issues, government officials or representatives merely carry out the will of the majority rather than vote on behalf of the people.
Protection of the rights of individuals Individual
A true democracy is rare due to the possibility of it turning into what might be called “mob rule”. This occurs when the majority makes decisions that benefit them at the expense of the minority. For example, a racial, religious, or socioeconomic class comprising more than 50% of the voting population could — in theory — vote to grant themselves certain benefits or to oppress or restrict those in the minority. In a true democracy, there is no legal power that protects minorities.
In a republic or constitutional democracy, however, the charter or constitution usually grants certain rights to individuals or minority groups. This prevents these rights from being taken away or violated by the will of the majority. This protection is fundamental to the republican form of government.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
