Why do you call US a Republic?

Answer 1

To start off, a republic only shares the similarity of the ability to vote, with a democracy. In a democracy it only requires that 50% plus one vote on something such as "give us all your money" the other 50% minus one must comply. In a republic, this cannot happen. As seen in ancient Rome and Scandinavian countries such as Iceland, there is a parliament of power, a set of laws restraining certain votes, vetoes, filibusters, etc. In a constitutional republic such as ours, and in order to change something in the constitution or make an amendment, 2/3 of the members of each house of congress must agree on the laws, and ¾ of the states must agree. In total, democracy can abolish personal rights for "the greater good", while republics hold laws such as the constitution or the twelve tables preventing that. A democracy is less for the minority of voters, more for the majority (50% plus one/50% minus one).

Democracy:

Involves the government ruling and making laws for the "greater good" of all people, they may abolish personal rights in doing so.

Democracy is government may be by and for the people. They may or may not be republics--that is, government limited by constitution or charter.

The tricky part of "democracy" is defining "the people" and then deciding what counts as "by the people" and what counts as "for the people." In a sense, that could be considered the content of democratic practice.

Citizens are expected to participate more actively in a democracy.

Republic:

It involves the government using and abiding by the constitution heavily. Personal rights are respected and cannot be taken away. This helps to avoid tyranny and mobocracy (the majority makes laws and governs by passion, prejudice, or impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences).

Republics are the common and "standard" type of governments found today, not democracies, despite what many people (who may not know the definition of either) think.

The difference between Democracy and Republic:

Democracy and Republic are two forms of government which are distinguished by their treatment of the Minority, and the Individual, by the Majority.

In a Democracy, the Majority has unlimited power over the Minority. This system of government does not provide a legal safeguard of the rights of the Individual and the Minority. It has been referred to as "Majority over Man".

In a Republic, the Majority is Limited and constrained by a written Constitution which protects the rights of the Individual and the Minority. The purpose of a Republic form of government is to control the Majority and to protect the God-given, inalienable rights and liberty of the Individual.

The United States of America is founded as a Republic under the Constitution.