Democracy vs. Republic
Main DifferenceThere are dozens of the political system under the practice in different countries of the world, which are depending upon the easiness and comfortability of their people with respect to the law. Monarchy, anarchy, oligarchy, republic and democracy are few of the political systems being observed globally. Out of all these, democracy and republic are the most adopted systems across the globe. Both these systems are often hard to differentiate because of the several similarities they possess. The word democracy is derived from the two Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘kratein,' which means ‘people’ and ‘to rule’ respectively. On the other hand, Republic is derived from the two Latin words ‘res’ and ‘publicus,' which means ‘entity, concern’ and ‘of the people, public.' Democracy is the political system in which people are elected through the free and fair elections. In this case, the majority has right to make their certain laws and override the minorities if they want. Whereas, the Republic is the political system similar to the representative democracy. In this political system, the majority elects the head of state for the limited tenure; the voice of majority also rules in this system, but the minorities, in this case, can’t be overridden by the majority as the charter or constitution of basic rights are inalienable from the system.
Difference Between Democracy and Republic
Democracy vs. Republic
The word democracy is derived from the two Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘kratein,' which means ‘people’ and ‘to rule’ respectively. On the other hand, Republic is derived from the two Latin words ‘res’ and ‘publicus,' which means ‘entity, concern’ and ‘of the people, public.'
Democracy vs. Republic
Democracy is defined as the political system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. On the other hand, the republic is defined as a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Democracy vs. Republic
In a democracy the majority is allowed to make laws as per their will while in Republic the majority can make the laws, but at the same time, they can’t take basic rights away from the minorities.
Democracy vs. Republic
As the majority is the essence of the democracy mobocracy prevails, whereas in Republic mobocracy doesn’t prevail as the minorities have inalienable rights attached to them.
Democracynoun
(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).
Republicnoun
A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
The United States is a republic; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy.Democracynoun
A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.
Republicnoun
(archaic) A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.
Democracynoun
(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".
Republicnoun
One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.
The Republic of Udmurtia is west of the Permian Oblast.Democracynoun
the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
Republicnoun
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Democracynoun
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Republicnoun
a form of government whose head of state is not a monarch;
the head of state in a republic is usually a presidentDemocracynoun
the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group
Comparison Chart
| Democracy | Republic |
| The word democracy is derived from the two Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘kratein,' which means ‘people’ and ‘to rule’ respectively | Republic is derived from the two Latin words ‘res’ and ‘publicus,' which means ‘entity, concern’ and ‘of the people, public.' |
| Definition | |
| Democracy is defined as the political system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. | The republic is defined as a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. |
| Legislation process | |
| In a democracy the majority is allowed to make laws as per their will. | In Republic the majority can make the laws, but at the same time, they can’t take basic rights away from the minorities. |
| Mobocracy | |
| As the majority is the essence of the democracy mobocracy prevails. | In Republic mobocracy doesn’t prevail as the minorities have inalienable rights attached to them. |
What is Democracy?
Democracy is the ancient political system, which is under practice since 500 BCE. This political or governing system was first established in the civilized nations like Athens and Greece. With some amendments and up gradation, democracy is one of the most adopted forms of politics across the globe. The most extraordinary definition of the democracy set by the scholars is that it is the ‘government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The political representatives in this system are elected through the free and fair elections. The majority elected through elections has right to do the legislation process as per their will. As 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 majority can override the minorities, depending totally on themselves. Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and India are some of the prominent countries to have the democracy system implement in their country. It should be kept mentioned that more than half of the world follows the democratic system.
What is Republic?
The Republic is the representative democracy in which the change in power comes through the vote. The free and fair elections are held in this system, and the majority chooses the elected chief of the state, president and other representatives for the limited tenure. The legislators are held responsible for the law making process; the difference comes in this system is that the majority can’t override the minorities as the certain charter of the constitution or basic rights are inalienable from the minorities. The political system of republic maintains balance and protects the basic rights of the minority in the case. The electives are free to make certain laws, but no emendation can be made in the already passed charter of the constitution for the minorities. Many of the modern nations in the world are seen practicing the democratic republic with a constitution, through which the popularly elected government can make the amendment.
