Is the USA a republic or democracy?

[JettaKnight]

We're an Idiocracy.

house of representin'

 

[fullmetaljesus]

"as"? More like "during"

Fair point. I think in my head I was thinking as part of.
But your phrasing is better

 

[churchmouse]

We're an Idiocracy.

Fast becoming.

 

[Hatin Since 87]

We're an Idiocracy.

Definitely no shortage of candidates.

 

[chipbennett]

We were a republic, but are doing our level-best not to keep it. The 17th amendment, that introduced direct election of Senators (who were formerly appointed by state legislatures as representatives of the State) drove the biggest nail into the Republic coffin. The 16th amendment, that empowered the federal government to levy income tax on individuals directly (where formerly the federal government could only levy taxes on the States) is a somewhat-close second.

Even so, we are a constitutional republic of sovereign States. We are not a democracy, even though our form of government is democratic ("democracy" and "democratic" are not synonymous).

I disagree with HoughMade; it is not a matter of mere pedantry. If our country were operating as intended by our constitution and as designed by our founding fathers, individuals would largely have no need whatsoever to concern themselves with the goings-on of the federal government - and would be commensurately more involved in State (and local) government.

 

[Hop]

We were a republic, but are doing our level-best not to keep it. The 17th amendment, that introduced direct election of Senators (who were formerly appointed by state legislatures as representatives of the State) drove the biggest nail into the Republic coffin. The 16th amendment, that empowered the federal government to levy income tax on individuals directly (where formerly the federal government could only levy taxes on the States) is a somewhat-close second.

Even so, we are a constitutional republic of sovereign States. We are not a democracy, even though our form of government is democratic ("democracy" and "democratic" are not synonymous).

I disagree with HoughMade; it is not a matter of mere pedantry. If our country were operating as intended by our constitution and as designed by our founding fathers, individuals would largely have no need whatsoever to concern themselves with the goings-on of the federal government - and would be commensurately more involved in State (and local) government.

Boom!

 

[jamil]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all.


Just sayin’

In the hierarchical structure, democracy is just below republic. Said a different way, what kind of system do we have? Republican as opposed to monarchy. Of the types of republics, what type is ours? Democratic, as opposed to, say, dictatorial. And what type of democracy? Indirect/representative. What limits the government’s power? The constitution. But it is not necessary to be a republic to have a constitution. A society could have a constitutional Monarchy.

 

[jamil]

We're an Idiocracy.

In a practical sense I cannot think of a cogent argument against that.

 

[churchmouse]

In a practical sense I cannot think of a cogent argument against that.

In this current social environment there is no argument that can be made.

 

[edporch]

My copy of the US Constitution says,
Article IV Section 4 - "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government,..."

 

[T.Lex]

Transient popular oligarchy.

I think that's a thing.

Yeah, that's got to be a thing.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

My copy of the US Constitution says,
Article IV Section 4 - "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government,..."

Sweet! So we can just have SCOTUS declare that Democrats are unconstitutional and banish them forever!



Except Alpo... he's okay.

 

[churchmouse]

My copy of the US Constitution says,
Article IV Section 4 - "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government,..."

Damnit Ed we did not touch on this today when we were solving all the problems of the "REPUBLIC"

 

[edporch]

Sweet! So we can just have SCOTUS declare that Democrats are unconstitutional and banish them forever!



Except Alpo... he's okay.

For those in Rio Linda, the word "republican" with a small "r" doesn't denote the Republican Party.
ESPECIALLY when most members of the Republican Party are small "d" democrats.

"Modern republicanism is a guiding political philosophy of the United States that has been a major part of American civic thought since its founding.
It stresses liberty and unalienable individual rights as central values, making people sovereign as a whole; rejects monarchy, aristocracy and inherited political power, expects citizens to be virtuous and faithful in their performance of civic duties, and vilifies corruption.
American republicanism was articulated and first practiced by the Founding Fathers in the 18th century.
For them, "republicanism represented more than a particular form of government.
It was a way of life, a core ideology, an uncompromising commitment to liberty, and a total rejection of aristocracy."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanism_in_the_United_States

 

[edporch]

Damnit Ed we did not touch on this today when we were solving all the problems of the "REPUBLIC"

We were just short for time.
We'd have gotten around to it eventually!

 

[jamil]

Sweet! So we can just have SCOTUS declare that Democrats are unconstitutional and banish them forever!



Except Alpo... he's okay.

Well, he kinda renounced the party because the idiots have taken over. But, he still hasn’t fully turned to the dark side. Bwahahahha.