Difference between Democracy and Republic

There are dozens of political systems in practice in different countries of the world, which depend on the ease and comfort of their people with respect to the law. Monarchy, anarchy, oligarchy, republic and democracy are some of the political systems that are observed worldwide. Of all these, democracy and republic are the most widely adopted systems around the world. Both systems are often difficult to differentiate due to the various similarities that they possess. The word democracy is derived from the two Greek words “demos” and “kratein”, which mean “people” and “rule” respectively. On the other hand, Republic is derived from the two Latin words “res” and “publicus”, which means “entity,” Democracy is the political system in which people are elected through free and fair elections. In this case, the majority has the right to make certain laws and override minorities if they wish. Whereas, the Republic is the political system similar to representative democracy. In this political system, the majority elects the head of state for the limited term; the voice of the majority also governs in this system, but the minorities, in this case, cannot be annulled by the majority since the charter or constitution of basic rights are inalienable from the system. the majority elects the head of state for the limited term; the voice of the majority also rules in this system, but the minorities, in this case, cannot be overridden by the majority since the charter or constitution of basic rights is inalienable from the system. the majority elects the head of state for the limited term; the voice of the majority also rules in this system,Comparison chart

What is democracy?

Democracy is the ancient political system, which has been practiced since 500 BC. C. This political or government system was first established in civilized nations like Athens and Greece. With some amendments and further gradation, democracy is one of the most widely adopted forms of politics around the world. The most extraordinary definition of democracy established by academics is that it is the ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’. The political representatives of this system are chosen through free and fair elections. The majority elected through elections has the right to carry out the legislative process according to its will. Since the majority is the real essence of this political system, the basic rights of minorities are not inalienable in this case. In other words, we can say that the majority can override the minorities, depending entirely on themselves. Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and India are some of the prominent countries that have implemented the democratic system in their country. It is worth mentioning that more than half of the world follows the democratic system.

What is Republic?

The Republic is the representative democracy in which the change of power occurs through the vote. Free and fair elections are held in this system, with the majority electing the elected head of state, president, and other representatives for the limited term. Legislators are responsible for the law-making process; the difference comes in this system is that the majority cannot override the minorities as certain statutes of the constitution or basic rights are inalienable to minorities. The political system of the republic maintains the balance and protects the basic rights of the minority in the case. The electives are free to make certain laws, but no amendment can be made in the already approved constitutional charter for minorities.

Democracy vs. Republic

• The word democracy is derived from the two Greek words “demos” and “kratein”, which mean “people” and “rule” respectively. On the other hand, Republic is derived from the two Latin words ‘res’ and ‘publicus’, meaning ‘entity, concern’ and ‘of the people, public’.
• Democracy is defined as the political system of government by the entire population or all eligible members of a state, usually through elected representatives. On the other hand, republic is defined as a state in which the supreme power is in the hands of the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president instead of a monarch.
• In a democracy, the majority is allowed to make laws according to their will, while in the Republic the majority can make the laws, but at the same time, they cannot take away the basic rights of minorities.
• Since the majority is the essence of democracy, mobocracy prevails, while in the Republic mobocracy does not prevail, since minorities have inalienable rights that correspond to them.