Example of republicism

Answer 1

I'm not sure if this is an actual word, but if what is meant is the philosophy underpinning the form of government known as a republic, then I can definitely supply some information.

Understand first that this form of government is contrasted with a pure democracy. Both forms of government fit under the rubric of democracy, but as opposed to pure democracy where all people vote on all issues, a republic is best understood to mean a representative democracy.

James Madison understood it best and wrote about it most clearly in the Federalist Papers, Number 10. (http://www.constitution.org/fed/federa10.htm). His most important point of the superiority of a republic to pure democracy lies in controlling what he calls "factions." Another way to understand it is to understand what can happen with the "tyranny of the majority."

Human history verifies the danger of the mob mentality. These "factions" require tempering, and Madison viewed the republic form of government as perhaps the best balance between oligarchy (the few rule) and pure democracy, where the mob can rule. Representative democracy is a form of oligarchy (the few rule), but the few answer directly to the people through elections. Further, in a republic, the power of the few is spread sufficiently to prevent abuse or concentration of power in too few hands.

I recommend that you read Federalist 10 (and the others) to get a better understanding of this philosophy and its importance in the Founding of the United States of America.