Democracy and Republic are different than Democrats and Republicans - thankfully.

[BobF]

This article outlines the Republic and Democracy and why they are different in one very important way. Pure Democracies do not allow the population to have their own ways while Republics ensure all people have a say.

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic

The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system where citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government. However, in a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority.


Most modern nations are democratic republics with a constitution, which can be amended by a popularly elected government.

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I tried to copy the comparison tables over but they did not reproduce. So the comparison tables do tell a lot about how the US government can and will operate. And the restrictions on the way the government can operate.

I did try to rework and copy the comparison tables and did come up with the following. All the text in the table is there, but in some places it had a mind of its own.
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[h=2]Comparison chart[/h] Differences - Similarities

	[h=3]Democracy[/h]	[h=3]Republic[/h]
Definition	is ruled by the omnipotent majority. In a democracy, an individual, and any group of individuals composing any minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of the majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man.	A republic is a representative democracy with a written constitution of basic rights that protect the minority from being completely unrepresented or overridden by the majority.
Constraints on the government	No; the majority can impose its will on the minority.	Yes; the majority cannot take away certain inalienable rights.
Philosophy	All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions.	All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions with protection of unalienable rights to individuals.
Famous Examples	Classical Greece, Rome	United States Of America

Examples	Classical Greece, Rome	United States Of America
Sovereignty is held by	the whole population (as a group)	the people (individuals)
Common confusion in the USA	People commonly confuse direct democracy with representative democracy. The US officially has a representative style, though many have suggested the US is closer to an oligarchy or plutocracy.	The US is actually a Republic. It is governed by rule of law. The elected are bound by oath to the written governing limits (ie constitution) yet vote "together" and create laws to address concerns of the represented in a democratic way
Free Choice	Individuals may make decisions for themselves except insofar as a majority faction has limited individuals.	Individuals may make decisions for themselves, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with freedom of choice.
Political System	Democratic. [Note: this is not meant as a reference to a Democratic Party.]	Republican. [Note: this is not meant as a reference to a Republican Party.

Social Structure	Class distinctions can become pronounced due to capitalist society. Varies from state to state.	Class distinctions can become pronounced due to capitalist society. Varies from state to state.
Religion	Generally, freedom of religion is permitted, although a majority faction may limit religious freedom for a minority faction.	Generally, freedom of religion is permitted, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with freedom of religion.
Economic System	Elected by the voters or their elected representatives. Usually capitalist or Keynesian.	Elected by the voters or their elected representatives. Usually capitalist or Keynesian.
Private Property	Generally, private property is permitted, although a majority faction may place limits on property rights.	Generally, private property is permitted, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on interfering with property rights.

Discrimination	In theory, all citizens have an equal say and so are treated equally. However, often allows for the tyranny of the majority over the minority.	In theory, all citizens have an equal say and so are treated equally by the government, especially insofar as there is a constitutional prohibition on government discrimination.
Variations	Direct democracy, parliamentary democracy, representative democracy, presidential democracy.	Democratic republics, Constitutional republics.
Modern Examples	More than half of the world, including the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc.	In theory, the United States of America is a republic.
Key Elements	Free elections.	Free elections, constitutions.
Way of Change	Voting.	Voting.

 

[BobF]

Near the bottom of the page now so I will bring it back to the top for now. There have been 69 that have connected enough to be counted. But no response yet. So starting at the top again means likely some more will have the opportunity to at least read the content.