[m1-lightning]

You're the first one to mention a direct democracy. There's a word for that, but it escapes me right now. A democracy may or may not have a constitution, same as a republic. You're equating democracy with mob rule. Time to go back to a real school (where did you go to school again?)

I'm sure there are a million citations of what a democracy is but I'll give you what I learned in college (even that can be construed as opinion)

A pure democracy is one ruled by the people where the public votes on every issue (referendums for everything).

A pure republic is one ruled by a dictator.

Since we have a republic with a democratic form of government, we vote for the "dictators" to make the voting decisions for us. This was applied because of the manner in which it wouldn't make sense for people in New York to vote for a new street light in Arizona. I hope that helps.

[Modernman]

Since we have a republic with a democratic form of government, we vote for the "dictators" to make the voting decisions for us.

I have no problem with that definition. As currently used, there's no real difference between "Democracy" or "Republic." Both refer to a system of government where the people elect representatives within some sort of constitutional or legal framework.