What would you say the United States is, a Democracy or a Republic?
To help figure that out let's look at the definitions of both.
Democracy-A democracy is majority rule and is destructive of liberty because there is no law to prevent the majority from trampling on individual rights. Whatever the majority says goes! A lynch mob is an example of pure democracy in action. There is only one dissenting vote, and that is cast by the person at the end of the rope.
Republic- A republic is a government of law under a Constitution. The Constitution holds the government in check and prevents the majority (acting through their government) from violating the rights of the individual. Under this system of government a lynch mob is illegal. The suspected criminal cannot be denied his right to a fair trial even if a majority of the citizenry demands otherwise.
With this in mind, we're probably a _________________?
Now you are in the know.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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3 comments:
I know in the pledge, it's 'and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands'
I remember discussing this in high school. Your post brought me back :)
Is Lisa right???
--b
Yes, we are a Republic not a true Democracy. Go figure!
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