What are the differences between a democracy and a republic?

Answer 1

A republic is a representative democracy, where the people elect representatives to make laws for them. A republic makes decisions democratically by the majority vote of representatives.

In a representative democracy you elect a few to represent you in the decision making, and make decisions for you, rather then you yourself vote on every decision.

(The United States is a republic, or representational democracy, because the people vote for representatives to represent their views in congress. James Madison defined republic in terms of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy.)

A direct democracy, or pure democracy, is where the people rule directly, voting on every law themselves. It's a form of government ruled by majority of every individual. A direct democracy allows all citizens to vote on every decision.

Direct democracy is where citizens vote directly by ballot to make decisions for the government. Direct democracy originated in Athens.

Answer 2

In a democracy, decisions are made directly by the people through majority rule, while in a republic, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Democracies tend to have a more direct form of government, whereas republics often have a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.