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Great question, Denison. While we have democratic traditions outlined in our charter, we are, indeed, a republic. Our governement was set up officially in the form of our constitution, therefore we are a republic.
This is the greatest misunderstanding of our current generations, IMHO.
The U.S.A. is NOT a democracy, but a republic with a republican form of government.
REPUBLIC - A commonwealth; That form of government in which the administration of affairs is open to all the citizens. In another sense, it signifies the state, independent of its form of government.
Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 1302
A republic is not synonymous with a republican form of government. The People's Republic of China is a republic but not a republican form.
"GOVERNMENT (Republican Government)- One in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated."
- - - Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 695
In contrast:
"DEMOCRACY - That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy."
- - - Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 432
Restating
Democratic Form: Whole Body of Citizens indirectly exercise sovereignty (absolute power) through their representative legislators, who in turn, delegate authority to the executive branch to execute the laws.
Republican Form: Individual people directly exercise sovereignty. They may delegate certain powers - via petition - to the servant government. Example - when making a criminal complaint, the sheriff becomes their representative. Or in a foreign country, petitioning the ambassador for assistance.
Article 4, Section 4, USCON, promises a "republican form" to the States.
U.S.A. is NOT a democracy, but a republic, with a republican form of government (in the states), and a modified democratic legislature, limited by constitution.
The American people are sovereign, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights. And they may surrender those rights, by consenting to be citizens, and accept the civic duties that come with citizenship. Thus they change from the republican form to the democratic form.
*(If all Americans were citizens, at birth, it would be involuntary servitude and unconstitutional.)
The U.S.A. is NOT a democracy, but a republic with a republican form of government.
REPUBLIC - A commonwealth; That form of government in which the administration of affairs is open to all the citizens. In another sense, it signifies the state, independent of its form of government.
Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 1302
A republic is not synonymous with a republican form of government. The People's Republic of China is a republic but not a republican form.
"GOVERNMENT (Republican Government)- One in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated."
- - - Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 695
In contrast:
"DEMOCRACY - That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy."
- - - Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 432
Restating
Democratic Form: Whole Body of Citizens indirectly exercise sovereignty (absolute power) through their representative legislators, who in turn, delegate authority to the executive branch to execute the laws.
Republican Form: Individual people directly exercise sovereignty. They may delegate certain powers - via petition - to the servant government. Example - when making a criminal complaint, the sheriff becomes their representative. Or in a foreign country, petitioning the ambassador for assistance.
Article 4, Section 4, USCON, promises a "republican form" to the States.
U.S.A. is NOT a democracy, but a republic, with a republican form of government (in the states), and a modified democratic legislature, limited by constitution.
The American people are sovereign, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights. And they may surrender those rights, by consenting to be citizens, and accept the civic duties that come with citizenship. Thus they change from the republican form to the democratic form.
*(If all Americans were citizens, at birth, it would be involuntary servitude and unconstitutional.)
Benjamin Franklin (1706–90)
QUOTATION:“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
ATTRIBUTION:The response is attributed to BENJAMIN FRANKLIN—at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation—in the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Convention.
McHenry’s notes were first published in The American Historical Review, vol. 11, 1906, and the anecdote on p. 618 reads: “A lady asked Dr. Franklin "Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy? A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it.” When McHenry’s notes were included in The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, ed. Max Farrand, vol. 3, appendix A, p. 85 (1911, reprinted 1934), a footnote stated that the date this anecdote was written is uncertain.
--------------------------------- located by searching "a republic if you can keep it" --------------------------------------- We are a representative republic. Once we elect someone, they are SUPPOSED to vote as we wish. We all know that doesn't always happen.
A democracy is one man, one vote... we lose it when we elect people and put them in office.
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The U.S.A. is NOT a democracy
