Ergatocracy? Autocracy? Dictatorship? The 196 countries of the world operate under varying forms of government. Many Americans believe democracy is the best form—even though they’ve pledged themselves countless times “to the republic.” So what’s the difference between a democracy and a republic?
Democracy means “rule of the people.” In a pure democracy, citizens participate in forming a government. Citizens vote to choose their leader and decide what should happen in their nation.
Citizens of a pure democracy need not be wealthy, own land, or be of a certain gender or race to vote. How citizens share power or assign it to a country’s elected officials can vary greatly among democracies.
Democracy sounds noble and fair. But it can go terribly wrong. What if the majority is dishonest, evil, or cruel? That’s bad news for those in the minority—and the whole nation.
The U.S. Founding Fathers wanted a better plan than what they’d seen before. They decided the new nation would be a republic. It would allow citizens to vote, but laws would curtail rule by mob.
Features of democracy continue in the United States. In state ballot proposals, citizens vote on issues such as gas taxes, minimum wage, or plastic bag bans. Those measures must pass by a majority vote—no matter what the elected officials say.
Many believe America is both a democracy and republic. It is a democracy in that the people choose their leaders. But it is a republic in that although citizens vote, the Constitution has the final say.
Experts call the U.S. form of government a constitutional republic. Republic means “public concern.” Law, not people, is the foundation for justice and freedom in a constitutional republic. The people have a voice, but they do not rule directly. Instead, they elect representatives who make laws for them.
In the United States, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Everyone must obey the guidelines set down in this 1789 document—even the president, with some exceptions for the job. The majority, no matter how noisy or popular, cannot overrule the Constitution.
Christians recognize an even higher authority than the Constitution. They believe God is the supreme authority of all the Earth. (Ephesians 1:22) Still, they submit to human authorities as from God. (Romans 13:1)
The freedom to vote for those who make laws, uphold human rights, and secure peace is a privilege that citizens of many other nations long for. “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”—whether in a democracy or a republic—is cause for celebration!
Why? All authority comes ultimately from God. Yet He ordains people on Earth to have positions of power. Remember that elected officials are appointed by Him.
Same, but Different
Despite name similarities, the country’s two major political parties, Republicans and Democrats, aren’t divided along the same lines as a democracy and a republic. Both groups can vote freely, and both must uphold the Constitution.
The differences between the two are many—some minor and some major. Here are a few, broad-strokes differences: Democrats tend to want the government to be more involved in issues and programs that legislate equality and social responsibility. Republicans tend to emphasize personal responsibility and smaller government.
But when you are able to vote, you have other choices besides these two parties. You can vote independent or even write in a name in some elections. Someday, you can even make a run for public office yourself!
For more about how governments function, see On Democracy by E.B. White and Animal Farm by George Orwell in our Recommended Reading.
