Difference between Democracy and Republic

Table of Contents

Key Difference: Democracy can be defined as the government of people. It is formed by the people, for the people and of the people. Republic is a standard form of government which constitutes power, to the people, but only to those in the government.

There is quite a difference between the two forms of government, democratic and republic. It is important to understand them.

A democratic government is based on the idea that all citizens are equal and are guaranteed same rights under the law. Democracies are elected by the majority of the people and they feel that the government should do what is right. There is no hierarchy in systems; women are considered equal and no superiority among citizens. In short, democracy is the direct rule of the people. In democratic government, the higher power lies with the people, who can use it to their benefits during elections. There are various forms of democratic government: representative, liberal and constitutional. Each based on the main ideas of democracy along with the government stipulations.

A republic is a standard form of government. A republic government is based on the idea that there should be no monarchy and that the people should take part in choosing their leaders in the government. The people elect someone who can represent their interests. A scholar named Machiavelli helped define the term republic; he believed that there could only be one, a government or king’s rule. Since then, the word republic is used for governments who give people their rights and are not under authority. Republics follows constitution and ensure that the government does not forget the rights of the citizens given for equality.

It has to be remembered that both democracy and republic government is formed by the people. The difference being, democracy is run by people and republic is run by the laws of constitution. However, a democratic republic also exists where the people choose the leaders who represent them in the government. However, the government is the one who actually runs the country.

Comparison between Democracy and Republic:

	Democracy	Republic
Definition	It is defined as the government of the people.	It is a standard form of government.
Characteristic	It is the rule of the majority.	Government rules according to the law.
Ideals	Equality for all citizens	Government allows people to choose their leaders.
Origin	Present since ancient Greece	Around since the Renaissance.
Subcategories	Constitutional, representative, liberal	Liberal and socialist

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