What is the difference between a Democracy and a Republic?

Summary

The video script clarifies the common misconception that the United States is a republic, not a democracy. It explains that 'republic' and 'democracy' have distinct origins and meanings, with democracy implying 'people power' and republic indicating a government not owned by a monarch. The script argues that the U.S. is a representative democracy, where people elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, as opposed to a direct democracy where every citizen votes on policies. It also highlights the evolution of the terms 'republic' and 'democracy' and how they are used interchangeably today, reflecting the right of people to choose their leaders in a democratic system.

Takeaways

• 🗽 The claim 'we're not a democracy, we're a republic' often shows a misunderstanding of both political systems.
• 🏛 A republic originates from the Latin 'res publica' and implies government not being the personal property of a monarch.
• 👥 Democracy comes from 'demos encratos' in Greek, meaning 'people power', and was developed in Athens as a direct form of government.
• 🏙️ Modern countries do not implement direct democracy due to impracticality and complexity in decision-making.
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland is an example of a country with a strong tradition of democracy by referendum, where citizens directly enact policies.
• 🤔 The necessity of knowledge for effective policy-making is less than that required to choose the best representative.
• 👳 The founding fathers of the U.S. were against Athenian democracy but supported the idea of people power.
• 📜 The U.S. Constitution's preamble emphasizes that the people are the ultimate authority, establishing the new system.
• 🗳️ The founding fathers established a representative democracy, also known as a republic, where citizens elect others to make government decisions.
• 🏛️ James Madison defined a pure democracy as a small society where citizens administer the government directly, which is prone to factionalism and instability.
• 🏛️ Madison also defined a republic as a government deriving power from the people and administered by officials for a limited time or good behavior.
• 🌐 The terms 'democracy' and 'republic' have evolved in common usage, with 'democracy' now often referring to the right to choose leaders in free elections.
• 👑 Monarchies can be democratic, and republics can be non-democratic, as the term 'republic' simply means not being ruled by a king.
• 🇺🇸 The United States is both a democracy and a republic, as every president has recognized by referring to the country as a democracy.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'republic'?

The term 'republic' comes from the Latin 'res publica', which means 'public affair', and it refers to the concept that governments are not the personal property or prerogative of a monarch.

What does 'democracy' derive from and what does it imply?

Democracy comes from the Greek words 'demos' meaning 'people' and 'kratos' meaning 'power', implying a system where the people themselves have the authority to make decisions on policies.

How did the Athenian form of democracy operate?

In Athens, democracy operated as a direct form of government where citizens themselves decided on policies without representatives making decisions for them.

Why hasn't a direct democracy been implemented in the modern world?

A direct democracy has not been implemented because it would be impractical and inefficient, requiring every government decision to be voted on and approved by all citizens.

What is the difference between choosing a representative and enacting policy?

Choosing a representative requires less knowledge than enacting policy, as one only needs to select the best person to make decisions on their behalf, rather than having the knowledge to make those decisions themselves.

What did the founding fathers of the United States think about democracy?

The founding fathers were against the idea of Athenian democracy but were in favor of people power, establishing a representative or delegative democracy where authority derived from the public.

How does the preamble of the U.S. Constitution reflect the idea of people power?

The preamble states 'We the People', indicating that the American nation, represented by the people, is the ultimate authority establishing the constitutional system.

According to James Madison, what is the definition of a pure democracy?

Madison defined a pure democracy as a society consisting of a small number of citizens who assemble and administer the government in person, which is prone to turbulence and contention.

How does Madison define a republic in Federalist 39?

Madison defined a republic as a government deriving all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people and administered by persons holding their offices for a limited period or during good behavior.

Why do people confuse the terms 'democracy' and 'republic'?

The confusion arises because the meanings of 'democracy' and 'republic' have evolved over time. While 'direct' and 'representative' democracy have retained their meanings, the terms 'democracy' and 'republic' in common parlance have changed, with 'democracy' now often referring to a system where people have rights and can choose their leaders.

Can monarchies be democratic and republics be non-democratic?

Yes, monarchies can be democratic if they allow people to choose their leaders in free and fair elections, as seen in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Conversely, republics can be non-democratic if they do not provide such rights, as in the case of North Korea.

What does the statement 'We are not a democracy, we are a republic' imply about the speaker's understanding?

The statement shows a misunderstanding of both political systems, as the speaker fails to recognize that the United States is both a democracy and a republic, with democratic principles embedded in its republican form of government.