Democracy vs Republic?

What kind of rule do we have?

Theocracy? No.

Military Rule? (ostensibly,) No.

Kingdom? No.

Self-Rule by Sovereign Citizens? YES.

Demos = PEOPLE.

Democracy = Rule By the People.

Preamble of the Constitution: "We the People,...."

Are you sure you want to argue for a Republic?

Then you should go read Plato. Plato's Republic had heavy class divisions. There were the elites, "Citizens" who were educated, and due to their superior breeding and culture, we deemed capable of participating in government, and who (theoretically) ruled benevolently. The rest of the people were PROPERTYLESS SERFS. That a Republic.

"Platonic Republicans" are like the modern Liberal (as defined by Thomas Frank, author of "Listen Liberal"). They believe they are more able to be a citizen, with rights of participation in the affairs of government, due to their better breeding and superior education. Frank calls this a "Meritocracy".

Read the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence if you are confused. BTW: the Bill of Rights protects individual rights, and makes sure that the "two wolves" don't decide that the sheep is for dinner.

The American Republic (a hybrid and very unlike Plato's) recognizes the sovereignty of the individual. (That makes us a Democracy, homey.) Our Representative Democracy is IMO a compromise, because even if the founders had idealized a direct Democracy, it was impossible in 1776, before highways, telephones, radio, TV, internet, etc.

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May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)