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Why It Is Important To Understand The Constitutional Republic VS Democracy Debate

By Patty Goff


The US Constitution, in 1787, established a Republican form of government. It set down certain duties and responsibilities of a central, federal government and left all rights to the citizens of what was called a great experiment. Many countries, around the world, have what they call democracies and they are fairing much worse for the people of those countries. The debates about constitutional republic VS democracy, for many people who do not understand, continue.

A republican form of government starts with a constitution. In this are the guarantees of the peoples rights by listing those things that the government can not do. In the US Constitutions case, there are also additional rights reserved to the people. All of these should be protected by the separation of powers, establishing legislative, executive and judicial branches that are in contention with each other.

When dealing with a democracy, the vote, for whatever is being decided on, carries the issue and the majority wins. That vote will be for the leaders of the period and they will be the new masterminds as there is no separation of powers. They do not have the restrictions of a constitution to guide them and each new administration will change the rules, the laws and taxes as they see fit.

A republican form of government will require active, knowledgeable voters to select the various house and senate members in the legislative branch. They will also select the president to serve as the executive. These individuals should follow the desires of their constituents, based on information and knowledge, to enact laws to serve the entire country. This often means compromise and, unfortunately, deals between two or more members.

One of the things about democracy is that it has often been called mob rule. When the vote occurs, the majority wins and the minority loses. There are no minority rights as all members of the society must adhere to the new majority decision. This is akin to a group of 20 lions and 15 zebras having a vote on what to have for dinner.

One of the things that make the republican form of government so appealing is that the US Constitution had to be approved by the people before it could represent the peoples rights. They had to approve it in 1787 to 1789 and they also have the ability to make changes to it even now. This is accomplished with the amendment process. This is possible and necessary because their representatives need guidance, from time to time, and the people do not vote on all issues coming before these legislators.

A republican form of government is required to follow the constitution in their law making to conform themselves to what they were authorized to do in the first place. A democracy has no controlling document to assist them in making laws, administering rules and regulations. They generally do whatever they need to do to get them reelected, if the rule of law stays in place after their election.

A very bad thing about the United States, in 2014, is that it is beginning to not look like the republican form of government that was set out in 1787. The founders formed a federal, not a national government and it is becoming more and more national and even less democratic. This is making it harder and harder for the representatives to truly represent the voters desires.




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