What is a republic?

A republic is defined as a system of government in which power resides in elected individuals representing the citizen body. In a republic, citizens have the right to vote for their representatives, who are entrusted to make decisions and create laws on their behalf. This structure ensures that the government is accountable to the people, and it emphasizes the importance of civic participation and the rule of law.

By contrast, an absolute monarchy is characterized by a single ruler with total control, where the monarch's power is not limited by laws or any governing body. A government ruled by a single leader generally does not embody the principles of representation or citizen involvement typical of a republic. Lastly, while some forms of government allow for direct citizen control over laws, this is more characteristic of a direct democracy rather than a republic, which includes representatives making decisions for the populace. Thus, the concept of a republic is fundamentally linked to the elected representation of citizens and the establishment of a government that operates with their consent.