The Distinguishing Factor, Constitutional Republic Vs Democracy

By Olivia Cross


A democracy and a republic are likely to be used interchangeably but they have totally different meanings. The debate on constitutional republic vs democracy does not address the fundamental differences that exist. Democracies are regarded as governments based on popularity while republics still denote majority rule but accord significant rights to individuals.

The rights of individual citizens and powers of governments differentiate democracies from republics. It is an uncontested fact that the majority rule in both cases. However, it is the extent of power and relationship with minority that differentiates the two. Both systems allow citizens to determine their representatives into the government.

Democracies appear to give absolute right to the government of the day. This allows the majority rulers to alter the constitution or laws based on their desires. This means that as long as a majority government is in power, it has free will over all the citizens regardless of their political affiliation. This leaves the minority in a vulnerable position.

Republics provide safeguards that restrain majority governments from oppressing the minority. This means that citizens have inalienable rights that cannot be taken away whether they are a majority or minority. This is a differentiating factor when one seeks to understand how democracies differ from republics. Democracies expose the minority to a greater extent.

Democracies allow rule by omnipotent majority. This gives them the power to impose their will upon the minority unlike in republics where there are restrictions. The rights of citizens in republics are changeable through a consultative approach that leads to voting.

The exercise of sovereignty is another factor that determines whether a nation is a republic or democracy. Democracies allow the population to hold sovereignty as a group while republics reserve this right to individual citizens. This method of governing first emerged in Classical Athens.

In a republic, sovereignty belongs to an individual and cannot be taken away by a majority government. This system of government has its origin in Classical Rome and comes with three separate branches or arms of government. An example is what is practiced in the United States of America.

Democracies are either direct or representative. An individual is given the mandate by the larger population to represent their interests in an electorate body in cases of representative democracies. This means that the representative is considered as the voice of masses. This representative votes on issues with his voice and opinion being considered to be that of his electorates.

Power and decisions in direct democracies are in the hands of the people. This means that there are no representatives within the governance and law making systems. The ways of exercising direct democratic processes include referendums and voting. The people determine the issues what they want directly through a vote.

The USA is a republic based on the fact that it is governed by the rule of law. The existence of written law and the constitution means that representatives are bound by these statutes. This is the trend in most nations though there exist variations based on traditions and the processes of nation formation. The limits that exist to protect minorities from being muscled by the government signal a mixture of governance systems.




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