What type of government do we have?

When asked what type of government we have, most Americans would reply that we have a democracy. Others would say that we have a democratic republic. And there would be some who would say that we live in a republic. Many would argue that there is little difference between a democracy and a republic and that it really doesn’t matter what we call our form of government.

There actually are important differences between a republic and a democracy. They operate differently and bring about very different results. A republic is a government based on the rule of law. A democracy is a government based on the rule of men.

In a republic there are laws, based on sound principles, that everyone is required to obey. Those laws can only be changed through a deliberate and time consuming process. The citizens and the elected leaders are treated equally under the law. The laws protect the rights of all citizens especially those belonging to minorities.

In a democracy the laws are established by the will of the people by majority vote. The laws can be changed easily by a simple majority vote with no deliberation or thought. Everyone is expected to obey the law but the majority can always change laws they don’t like. The rights of minorities are not protected since the majority always has its way.

In the United States we vote to elect our leaders and some believe that this right to vote makes our government a democracy. However, in voting we are not making laws but rather choosing representatives who make the laws for us. Our representatives make laws by going through a deliberate and slow process, with many checks and balances, that helps to insure that our laws are sound and that the rights of all citizens are protected.

The United States is a republic and each state has a republican form of government. We are ruled by law and not by the whims of the majority. Everyone is equal before the law and the rights of all are protected.

Published August 24, 2016