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Question: What Exactly is a Republic!?
I've heard this word bandied about so frequently without knowing what it really means!. Through the years, I've heard republic used in two different ways (this post does not refer to the Republican Party):
1!. A system of political representation!. For example, the people of the U!.S!. are represented by their respective members of Congress (A representative in the House and two Senators) and the President!.
2!. Republican virtue!. In other words, a citizen of the country is civic-minded by doing the right thing, voting, political involvement, etc!. A person who was cynical and refused to participate in the political process does is not a republican (does not possess republican virtue)!. A republic therefore is composed of civic-minded people; a country that has fewer civic-minded people is less republican!.
I don't know if this makes sense, but if someone can please advise me of what exactly constitutes a republic and perhaps provide an example of such, it would be appreciated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Literally, a Republic is a state or country that is not led by a hereditary monarch,but in which the people (or at least a part of its people) have impact on its government!. The word originates from the Latin term "res publica", which translates as "public thing" or "public matter"!.
There are numerous different kinds of Republics:
Republics that are also democracies, the head of state is selected as the result of an election and known as the president, for example like in ancient Rome before it had emperors!.
If the head of state of a Republic is at the same time the head of government, this is called a presidential system, for example the United States!. In semi-presidential systems and parliamentary republics, where the head of state is not the same person as the head of government, the latter is usually termed prime minister, premier or chancellor!.
In some countries, like Switzerland and San Marino, the head of state is not a single person but a committee (council) of several persons holding that office!.
Republics can be led by a head of state that has many of the characteristics of a monarch: not only do some republics install a president for life, they invest such president with powers beyond what is usual in a representative democracy!.
I hope this helped you out a bit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Simply put a republic is a form of government based on the ideas of Plato!. It speaks to civic obligations and a democratically based system of government where the people play a role!.
The form of government that America has in place, although similar to a republic, it differs because it offers more opportunity for equality where a republic is not concerned with equality as much as it is participation and leadership by a certain class of people!.!.!.which to some may sound like one and the same but it is not!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
A form of government where ultimate political power is theoretically vested in the people but in which popular control is exercised only intermittently and indirectly through the popular election of government officials or delegates to a legislative assembly instead of directly through the people!.
www!.information-entertainment!.com/Poli!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
put it simple its run by temporary leaders who are elected by the people but not quite a democracyWww@QuestionHome@Com
Historically the two answers you gave cover most of the social or people aspects of a republic!.
A republic usually consists of an elective body or bodies that set the countries laws or regulations!. This body can be elected in one of several ways, with the most common being individuals of a certain age casting a vote for an individual to represent them in the government!.
Another form of republic consisted of all land owners who came together once or twice a year to pass laws and rule on various items before this body!.
The biggest factor is that a republic allows for self rule to one degree or another, with there being a single ruler be they elected, hereditary, or self proclaimed, that can enact the rules given by this body or ignore them altogether!.
The Roman Empire, Greek Empire and even most old Monarchy's ruled as republics!. The majority of todays countries use the republic as the basic ground work for their political process!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
The word "republic" comes from the Latin expression "res publica," which means "(the) public thing!." The Roman Republic had the motto, "Senatus Populus Que Romani," which meant, "The Senate and the Roman People!."
The Venetian Republic, the one the US Republic was modeled after, was headed by the "Doge," who was a "Duke!."
The oldest republic is that of Iceland, which observed its thousandth anniversary in 1930!. Its chief legistative and judicial body is the Althing!.
The second-oldest republic is that of the Swiss!.
The organization of the Unione Siciliano, also called the "Mafia," has another name, "Cosa Nostra!." In the Sicilian language, which form is apparently the same as the Italian, that means "Our Thing!."
Apparently!. those people may consider their underground organization to be a kind of "republic," too!.
Apparently, in the language of the Ainu aborigines of Hokkaido, the word "Shinto" means "real thing!." "Shi(n)" means "real," and "to" means "thing!." I used to think of the Roman shrines dedicated to the Lares and Penates, who were the "household gods" might resemble the Shinto shrines of Japan!.Www@QuestionHome@Com