An Important Distinction: Democracy versus Republic

The American Ideal of 1776 ^ | 1976 | Hamilton Abert Long

[hope_dies_last]

"It is important to keep in mind the difference between a Democracy and a Republic, as dissimilar forms of government. Understanding the difference is essential to comprehension of the fundamentals involved..."

"These two forms of government: Democracy and Republic, are not only dissimilar but antithetical, reflecting the sharp contrast between (a) The Majority Unlimited, in a Democracy, lacking any legal safeguard of the rights of The Individual and The Minority, and (b) The Majority Limited, in a Republic under a written Constitution safeguarding the rights of The Individual and The Minority; as we shall now see."

[hope_dies_last]

The word "Democracy" is itentionally used very loosely by the government these days and presidents like to use it in their high profile speeches. However, America is NOT... repeat... NOT a "democracy" it is a "REPUBLIC"...

The second paragraph of the excerpt makes it as clear as day... It doesn't take rocket science to understand it, nor to teach it... The left is trying to obscure this notion and akin to trying to committ a crime in broad daylight.

[albie]

This concept is extremely difficult to explain to kids, of which I have 2 daughters and have made the difference clear. When you have Republicans like Cantor and others use the “d” word, they’re like...”Dad is smarter than Eric Cantor”?!

Indeed it is used too loosely!

[aSeattleConservative]

History has had many “republics” (or at least countries that called themselves a “republic”): The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and The Peoples Republic of China to name two.

The key to our Constitutional Republic is this: Our rights come from God.

[aSeattleConservative]

Could it be said that we have a “democratic republic”, where the majority elect representatives to legislate?

[mrmeyer]

Makes me think of the democratic people’s republic of N. Korea.

[mrmeyer]

Makes me think of the democratic people’s republic of N. Korea.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Could it be said that we have a “democratic republic”,

We have a Representative Republic. Or, at least, we used to.

I think it was Franklin who said, "Two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for lunch is a Democracy. Two wolves and an armed sheep deciding what's for lunch is a republic."

[Michael Barnes]

No. We have a Representative Republic.

[HospiceNurse]

The US is a special kind of republic. It is a republic based on democratic principles. The two are not “antithetical”, but complementary. We use democratic processes to directly elect most of our representatives. We even use pure democracy in referenda at the state level. This republic/democracy argument is pure pseudointellectualsm. It is a distinction without any meaningful political value.

Jefferson was the first president from the Democratic-Republican party. Tell him they are antithetical.

[albie]

“Could it be said that we have a “democratic republic”, where the majority elect representatives to legislate”?

...that works. Although I prefer a “Representative Republic”.

[MPJackal]

“This concept is extremely difficult to explain to kids.”

It is pretty difficult to explain to adults as well. A few months ago I tried to explain this to the Oregon Freeper Thread and was soundly criticized as they demanded that we (the USA) is a true democracy.