Difference between revisions of "A republic, not a democracy"
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| − | The slogan '''"a republic, not a democracy"''' is used by some | + | The slogan '''"a republic, not a democracy"''' is used by some to alert listeners to the particular kind of [[democracy]] which the United States Constitution provides. |
The distinction is between [[direct democracy]] in which everyone votes, and the majority rules; and a [[representative democracy]] in which executives are elected to rule the people. | The distinction is between [[direct democracy]] in which everyone votes, and the majority rules; and a [[representative democracy]] in which executives are elected to rule the people. | ||
The phrase "not a democracy" is unfortunate because its meaning within the slogan is "not a [[direct democracy]]" but it can easily be taken as "not a democracy at all". Critics of the US, who want to accuse it falsely of not being democratic love to exploit this ambiguity. | The phrase "not a democracy" is unfortunate because its meaning within the slogan is "not a [[direct democracy]]" but it can easily be taken as "not a democracy at all". Critics of the US, who want to accuse it falsely of not being democratic love to exploit this ambiguity. | ||
Revision as of 17:32, December 1, 2007
The slogan "a republic, not a democracy" is used by some to alert listeners to the particular kind of democracy which the United States Constitution provides.
The distinction is between direct democracy in which everyone votes, and the majority rules; and a representative democracy in which executives are elected to rule the people.
The phrase "not a democracy" is unfortunate because its meaning within the slogan is "not a direct democracy" but it can easily be taken as "not a democracy at all". Critics of the US, who want to accuse it falsely of not being democratic love to exploit this ambiguity.