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'''The Republican Form of [[government]]''' is one in which the powers of [[sovereignty]] are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated. Unlike the democratic form of government, in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the whole body of free [[citizens]], individuals retain sovereign prerogatives over their [[private property]] rights (absolute ownership) of their person, labor and [[property]].  

'''The Republican Form of [[government]]''' is one in which the powers of [[sovereignty]] are vested in the people who exercise them through elected representatives. Unlike direct democracy or the democratic form of government, in which the powers of sovereignty are vested directly in the whole body of free [[citizens]], the republican form of government is a representative democracy.  The [[Founders]] of the [[United States]] strongly opposed a direct democracy, or lawmaking directly by the people themselves.

   

   

The [[U.S. Constitution]] guarantees a republican form of government to the states. (See Art. IV, Sec. 4)  

The [[U.S. Constitution]] guarantees a republican form of government to the states. (See Art. IV, Sec. 4)