Changes

== Philosophical foundations ==  

== Philosophical foundations ==  

The political philosophy of the classical republics, such as The [[Roman Republic]], Icelandic Commonwealth, and the Carthaginian Republic, has had a central influence on republican thought throughout the subsequent centuries. A number of classical writers discussed forms of government alternative to monarchies and later writers have treated these as foundational works on the nature of republics. Philosophers and politicians advocating for republics, such as Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Adams, and Madison, relied heavily on these sources.

The political philosophy of the classical republics, such as the [[Roman Republic]], Icelandic Commonwealth, and the Carthaginian Republic, has had a central influence on republican thought throughout the subsequent centuries. A number of classical writers discussed forms of government alternative to monarchies and later writers have treated these as foundational works on the nature of republics. Philosophers and politicians advocating for republics, such as Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Adams, and Madison, relied heavily on these sources.

== Case law ==

== Case law ==

{{cquote|"It is a well settled general doctrine that the courts are incompetent to rule upon questions which are political in their nature rather than judicial. In regard to political questions, the legislature has full power to act unless prohibited by constitutional provisions.

{{cquote|"It is a well settled general doctrine that the courts are incompetent to rule upon questions which are political in their nature rather than judicial. In regard to political questions, the legislature has full power to act unless prohibited by constitutional provisions.

"The question whether a state has a republican form of government is a political one. So also, generally speaking, are matters relating to elections . . ."

"The question whethr a state has a republican form of government is a political one. So also, generally speaking, are matters relating to elections . . ."

16 O. Jur. 3d, Constitutional Law, Section 344.

16 O. Jur. 3d, Constitutional Law, Section 344.

See also Pacific States T&T v. Oregon, 223 U.S. 118, holding that the provisions of Article IV, Section 4 of the constitution do not authorize the judiciary to substitute its judgment as to a matter purely politica.}}

See also Pacific States T&T v. Oregon, 223 U.S. 118, holding that the provisions of Article IV, Section 4 of the constitution do not authorize the judiciary to substitute its judgment as to a matter purely political.}}

''Huenergardt -vs- Canton'', No. CA-6066, 1983 Ohio App. LEXIS 13094, at *10-11 (Ct. App. Feb. 11, 1983).

''Huenergardt -vs- Canton'', No. CA-6066, 1983 Ohio App. LEXIS 13094, at *10-11 (Ct. App. Feb. 11, 1983).

== Common misconceptions ==  

== Common misconceptions ==  

It is a common error to assume that a [[republic]] is synonymous with a republican form of government. Many are misled to assume that the republican form is merely a populist democracy limited by a constitution. In fact, exercising political liberty ''(voting and holding office)'' requires one to step down in status, changing from the republican form to the democratic form. American citizens are assumed to have voluntarily accepted obligations and duties associated with democracy that are inapplicable to the people at large. For example, conscription, if compulsory, would be a violation of liberty and life. However, in American law, sovereign people are not subjects to or objects of such impositions - only citizens are obligated.  

It is a common error to assume that a [[republic]] is synonymous with a republican form of government. Many are misled to assume that the republican form is merely a populist democracy limited by a constitution. In fact, exercising political liberty ''(voting and holding office)'' requires one to step down in status, changing from the republican to the democratic form. American citizens are assumed to have voluntarily accepted obligations and duties associated with democracy that are inapplicable to the people at large. For example, conscription, if compulsory, would be a violation of liberty and life. However, in American law, sovereign people are not subjects to or objects of such impositions - only citizens are obligated.  

   

   

Another misconception is that elected officials in the legislature are representatives of the people at large. In fact, they can only represent constituents, i.e., citizens/voters who gave consent, thus power of attorney to bind them to obedience. In a republican form, the individual's delegated representative who exercises power on his behalf, in defense of his life, liberty or property rights is not the legislature but the appropriate executive officer. A sheriff, if within a county, is his representative. Likewise, an ambassador is his representative, if within a foreign nation.  

Another misconception is that elected officials in the legislature represent the people at large. In fact, they can only represent constituents, i.e., citizens/voters who gave consent, thus power of attorney to bind them to obedience. In a republican form, the individual's delegated representative who exercises power on his behalf, in defense of his life, liberty or property rights is not the legislature but the appropriate executive officer. A sheriff, if within a county, is his representative. Likewise, an ambassador is his representative, if within a foreign nation.  

   

   

== Essential elements ==

== Essential elements ==

== Current Trends ==

== Current Trends ==

Due to the widespread enrollment into Social Security (national socialism), private property ownership has been practically eradicated within the U.S.A. In its place, qualified ownership has superseded it. [[Socialism]] (and [[Communism]]) abolish absolute ownership by individuals, and replace it with collective ownership by society, as a whole. Thus it would appear that the republican form has been supplanted by the democratic form of government.

Due to the widespread enrollment into Social Security (national socialism), private property ownership has been practically eradicated within the U.S.A. In its place, qualified ownership has superseded it. [[Socialism]] (and [[Communism]]) abolish absolute ownership by individuals, and replace it with collective ownership by society, as a whole. Thus it would appear that the republican form has been supplanted by a more democratic (communist)-leaning form of government.

== Citations ==  

== Citations ==