Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Democracy or Republic?

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.

3 comments:

Miss Lisa said...

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 :)

One Busy Mom said...

Is Lisa right???

--b

In His Grip said...

Yes, we are a Republic not a true Democracy. Go figure!