Republic
A republic is a form of government in which public authority is exercised through public institutions and representatives rather than inherited monarchy. The term has different meanings across political traditions and does not by itself specify every feature of a country’s democratic system.
A republic is a form of government in which public authority is exercised through public institutions and representatives rather than inherited monarchy. The term has different meanings across political traditions and does not by itself specify every feature of a country’s democratic system.
Example: Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution requires the federal government to guarantee every state a republican form of government.
Common misconception: “Republic” and “democracy” are mutually exclusive. A republic may use democratic elections and representative institutions; the terms describe overlapping but different aspects of government.
Sources: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-4/section-4/; https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript