The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the boundaries of the government. These limits are imposed by law, which implies rights as far as minorities are concerned. Both forms of government tend to use a representative system , for example the vote of citizens to elect those who represent their interests and ideals. In a republic, for example, a constitution or charter protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be violated even by the government. Within a “pure democracy” the majority is not limited in any way and can prevail over the minority. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy?
Most modern nations are “democratic republics” and have a constitution. Constitutions are usually amended by the government elected by popular vote. Therefore, this comparison contrasts the form of government in many countries today with a theoretical construct of what a “pure democracy” is, in such a way that the characteristics of a republic can be highlighted. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy?
Democracy | Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The majority rule. In a democracy, an individual or group of individuals who make up a minority have no power against the unlimited power of the majority. It is a case of the majority over the minority. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy? | The concept of a republic is similar to that of a representative democracy. The difference is that a republic has a written constitution. It establishes basic rights to protect minorities from being ignored or “crushed” by the majority. |
| Government restrictions | No. The majority is imposed at all times. | Yes. There are inalienable rights that no majority can violate. |
| Philosophy | The voice of all citizens has the same value and weight when making decisions. | In the same way, the voice of all citizens is equally important when making decisions. However, nothing is above the individual guarantees of any citizen. |
| Most famous examples | Ancient Rome and Greece are the two greatest examples of this ideology. | On the other hand, France and the United States are two modern examples of a republic. |
| About sovereignty | The sovereignty of a nation governed by this system depends entirely on the people. | Instead, sovereignty is in the hands of the people as individuals. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy? |
| Common confusion in the United States | Confusion around democracy is common. In fact, it is often confused with the concept of representative democracy. The United States officially has a representative style. However, many people believe that it is more like an oligarchy or even a plutocracy. | Speaking of the United States, this country is currently a republic. This republic is governed by a rule of law. Those elected to represent the people are bound by oath to abide by the written law (constitution) along with its limits. They themselves must vote together and create laws to address the concerns of those represented in a democratic way. |
| Political system | Democratic (it should be mentioned that it is not related to the American Democratic Party) | Republican (has nothing to do with the American Republican Party) |
| Social structure | Because it coexists with a capitalist society there are pronounced class distinctions. | As in a democracy, there can be pronounced social class differences. It varies depending on the country, states and cities. |
| About religion | Freedom of belief is allowed although the majority could limit the beliefs of the minority without problems. | In the same way, freedom of belief is respected. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy? |
| Economic system | This is chosen by the voters or their elected representatives. It is usually capitalist or Keynesian. | The same characteristics of a democracy: elected by the voters or their representatives. Capitalist / Keynesian. |
| About private property | Broadly speaking, private property is allowed. However, it is not ruled out that some majority put limits to this at some point. | It has the same characteristics as a republic in this respect. |
| About discrimination | In theory all citizens have the same value and should be treated as equal. However, it is often the case that the majority acts tyrannically over the minority. | Theoretically, there should be equality among all citizens. This is constitutional and no one should violate it. |
| Variations | Direct, parliamentary, representative and presidential democracy are some variations of democracy. What is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy? | Democratic republic and constitutional republic are some of the variations of a republic. |
| Modern examples | More than half of the countries of the modern world, including the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, among others. | There are also many countries that are republics, such as the United States, Mexico, Germany, Israel, Italy, among others. |
| Key elements | Freedom of choice. | In addition to freedom of choice, the constitution is a key element of a republic. |
| Observation in practice | It is a common confusion that is made between direct democracy and representative democracy. Again the example of the United States is taken up, which has a representative democracy. | Within Article 4, Section 4 of the US Constitution it can be clearly seen how the United States is a republic. |
