What is the difference between democracy and republic?

Great question! While the terms **democracy** and **republic** are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different but related concepts in political systems. **Democracy** broadly means "rule by the people." In a pure or direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making—voting on laws and policies themselves rather than through representatives. This form works best in small communities where everyone can easily gather and discuss issues. More commonly today, democracies are **representative democracies**, where people elect officials to make decisions on their behalf. A **republic**, on the other hand, is a form of government where the country is considered a "public matter" (from the Latin *res publica*) and the head of state is not a monarch. In a republic, power is held by elected representatives and leaders, and there is usually a constitution or set of laws that limits government power and protects individual rights. Most modern republics are also representative democracies, but the key feature is that sovereignty lies with the people and their elected officials, not a king or queen. In summary: - **Democracy** emphasizes rule by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. - **Republic** emphasizes a government without a hereditary monarch and typically includes a constitution to protect rights. Many countries, like the United States, are both republics and representative democracies—they have elected representatives and a constitution that protects individual freedoms and limits governmental power. So, while related, the terms highlight different aspects of governance: democracy focuses on people's participation, and republic focuses on the structure and rule of law. I hope this helps clarify the distinction!