Definition
Citizens choose representatives and officials under constitutional or legal rules, while political authority is understood to come from the people.
Political Dictionary
Democratic Republic
A democratic republic combines representative government with popular sovereignty and nonhereditary offices.
Why It Matters
It describes how democratic elections and republican institutions can operate together.
How It Works
Voters elect representatives who govern under law and remain accountable through elections.
History
The concept draws from ancient republicanism, Enlightenment thought, and modern constitutional democracy.
Example
Citizens elect a legislature instead of being ruled by a hereditary monarch.
Common Misconceptions
- A republic cannot be democratic.
- The term guarantees full civil liberty.
- Direct democracy is required for every decision.
Related Terms
Related Topics
See Also