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A '''Constitutional Republic''' is a state where the officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.

A '''Constitutional Republic''' is a state where the officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.

A Constitutional Republic is the current form of government in the [[United States]]. However in recent years, many people have criticized the federal government for moving away from a Constitutional Republic, as defined by the [[Constitution]], and towards a pure [[democracy]].<ref>[http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr012903.htm Sorry, Mr. Franklin, “We’re All Democrats Now”] - A speech by Dr. [[Ron Paul]] January 29, 2003</ref>

A Constitutional Republic is the current form of government in the [[United States]]. However, in recent years, many people have criticized the federal government for moving away from a Constitutional Republic, as defined by the [[Constitution]], and towards a pure [[democracy]].<ref>[http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr012903.htm Sorry, Mr. Franklin, “We’re All Democrats Now”] - A speech by Dr. [[Ron Paul]] January 29, 2003</ref>

TeamLaw.org defines a Constitutional Republic as follows:

TeamLaw.org defines a Constitutional Republic as follows:

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== Limits On Government ==  

== Limits On Government ==

The purpose of a Constitutional Republic is to place limits on the tyranny of the majority. [[Alexis de Tocqueville]] wrote:

The purpose of a Constitutional Republic is to place limits on the tyranny of the majority. [[Alexis de Tocqueville]] wrote:

<blockquote>If, on the other hand, a legislative power could be so constituted as to represent the majority without necessarily being the slave of its passions, an executive so as to retain a proper share of authority, and a judiciary so as to remain independent of the other two powers, a government would be formed which would still be democratic while incurring scarcely any risk of tyranny.<ref>[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/detoc/1_ch15.htm Democracy in America Chapter 15]</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>If, on the other hand, a legislative power could be so constituted as to represent the majority without necessarily being the slave of its passions, an executive so as to retain a proper share of authority, and a judiciary so as to remain independent of the other two powers, a government would be formed which would still be democratic while incurring scarcely any risk of tyranny.<ref>[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/detoc/1_ch15.htm Democracy in America Chapter 15]</ref></blockquote>

The United States Constitution has many protections against the "tyranny of the majority."  Specifically, it protects the [[Unalienable rights]] of the People from an overreaching government.  For example:

The United States Constitution has many protections against the "tyranny of the majority."  Specifically, it protects the [[Unalienable rights]] of the People from an overreaching government.  For example:

* Congress cannot establish a religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof -- Amendment 1

* Congress cannot establish a religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof—Amendment 1

* Congress cannot prohibit free speech -- Amendment 1

* Congress cannot prohibit free speech—Amendment 1

* Congress cannot infringe on the right to keep and bear arms -- Amendment 2

* Congress cannot infringe on the right to keep and bear arms—Amendment 2

* Senators must be elected by the States, not the people -- annulled by Amendment 17

* Senators must be elected by the States, not the people—annulled by Amendment 17

* Presidents must be elected by the Electoral College, not directly by the population

* Presidents must be elected by the Electoral College, not directly by the population

* [[habeas corpus]] shall not be suspended, except during invasion or rebellion -- Article 1, Section 9

* [[habeas corpus]] shall not be suspended, except during invasion or rebellion—Article 1, Section 9

* No direct tax shall be placed on the people without apportionment -- Article 1, Section 9 - annulled by Amendment 16

* No direct tax shall be placed on the people without apportionment—Article 1, Section 9 - annulled by Amendment 16

* Anything not explicitly permitted to Congress by the Constitution is reserved for the States or the People -- Amendment 10

* Anything not explicitly permitted to Congress by the Constitution is reserved for the States or the People—Amendment 10

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Constitutional Convention]]

* [[Constitutional Convention]]

<references/>

<references/>

== External Links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html The United States Constitution]

* [http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html The United States Constitution]

* [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42248 Are we a republic or a democracy?] by [[Walter E. Williams]]

* [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42248 Are we a republic or a democracy?] by [[Walter E. Williams]]

* [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2007/02/28/democracy_or_liberty Democracy or Liberty] by [[Walter E. Williams]]

* [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2007/02/28/democracy_or_liberty Democracy or Liberty] by [[Walter E. Williams]]

[[category:United States Government]]

[[Category:United States Government]]