The Differentiating Factor, Constitutional Republic Vs Democracy

By Olivia Cross


The use of democracy and republic interchangeably is innocently erroneous because there exist major differences. This makes the constitutional republic vs democracy debate a very crucial platform for clarifying issues. The rights of citizens in republics are safeguarded and cannot be taken away by the government. On the other hand, democracies disregard the rights of minority.

It is the interaction between government powers and the rights of individuals that differentiates republics from democracies. The fact that it is majority who exercise power in both cases is not contested. The effect this power and rights have on the minority differentiates these two government systems. In both cases, there is representation into the government.

Democracies appear to give absolute right to the government of the day. This allows the majority rulers to alter the constitution or laws based on their desires. This means that as long as a majority government is in power, it has free will over all the citizens regardless of their political affiliation. This leaves the minority in a vulnerable position.

Republics have constitutions or charters that protect the certain rights from alteration or abuse. These rights are inalienable which means that the government of the day cannot violate them. This is one fundamental difference between the two systems of government. Pure democracies give free will to the reigning government which means over exposure of the minority.

An omnipotent majority exist in democracies. This means that their will is imposed upon the minority for the ruling period. The restrictions that exist in republics provide a cushion to the minority. Republics only allow alteration of inalienable rights through a constitutionally defined process that entails voting.

The exercise of sovereignty is another factor that determines whether a nation is a republic or democracy. Democracies allow the population to hold sovereignty as a group while republics reserve this right to individual citizens. This method of governing first emerged in Classical Athens.

The system used by republics is different because sovereignty belongs to the individual. These rights are safeguarded and cannot be tampered with even by a majority government. This system first emerged in Classical Rome and has three characteristic arms of government. It is the system used in USA.

Democracies come in two forms, direct and representative. The mandate of an individual is taken by a representative who forms part of an elected body in representative democracies. He is the voice of his electorates and therefore will purport to vote based on their wish. He also gives an opinion that is said to represent his electorates.

Power and decisions in direct democracies are in the hands of the people. This means that there are no representatives within the governance and law making systems. The ways of exercising direct democratic processes include referendums and voting. The people determine the issues what they want directly through a vote.

The rule of law that governs USA makes it a republic. There is a constitution or written law that governs representatives who must swear to abide by it. Most countries have democratic republics with certain segments of governance falling in different categories alternatively. The rights of individuals are protected yet the majority government has power over minority, though there are limits.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment