what is the diffrence between a republic and a democracy?

[garrettwombat]

they sound both a lot like america but im having a hard time understanding what america actually is.

[nate895]

they sound both a lot like america but im having a hard time understanding what america actually is.

The difference is that in a republic, when your neighbors want to take your land because you found oil, the government says "sorry guys, got to go home," and in a democracy, the government has everyone vote on the matter in the next election, and then, most probably, steals your land because it is the "will of the people."

I encourage you to watch Michael Badnarik's Constitution classes.

[garrettwombat]

but what is america?

is it a republic or a democracy?

because we do vote on a lot of things...

[nate895]

but what is america?

is it a republic or a democracy?

because we do vote on a lot of things...

Republic, technically, in practical terms, a democracy. That is how perverted our Constitution has become.

[wd4freedom]

but what is america?

is it a republic or a democracy?

because we do vote on a lot of things...

We are a Republic (democratically elected Republic)

[Deborah K]

In the simplest terms, a democracy is government rule by majority. A republic is a government through representation, which is voted in by the majority. Our laws are also voted in by a majority of our representatives. So, basically we are a democratic republic.

[garrettwombat]

so then what makes us not a democracy??

[Tdcci]

That we have certain inalienable rights. The other protections (states appointing senators, no national bank) have mostly been eroded.

[nate895]

so then what makes us not a democracy??

Because our representatives hold our regular power and the people in a convention of delegates (in each state separately) hold sovereign authority.

[JS4Pat]

so then what makes us not a democracy??

Well the United States Constitution along with our 3 branches of government are supposed to make us not a pure Democracy.

Unfortunatley due to a lazy and apathetic electorate we have allowed the whole system to become perverted.

I'm not really sure what we are "in practice" now.