Republican Government

Definition of a Republican
Government
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands… Most Americans
grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school, but
just what is a republic ?
The word republic, comes from the Latin res publica , or
public thing, and refers to a form of government where the
citizens act for their own benefit rather than for the benefit
of a ruler or king. A republican government is one in which
the political authority comes from the people. In the United
States, power is given to the government by its citizens as
written in the U.S. Constitution and through its elected
representatives.
Belief in republicanism helped bring about the American
Revolution and the United States Constitution. The
American colonists were influenced by the writings of
Thomas Paine. In his 50-page pamphlet Common Sense,
written in 1776, Paine made the argument for political
independence from Britain, a representative government,
and a written constitution for the colonies. Paine felt the
monarch had no place in government and that the people
themselves were the legitimate authority for government.
Thomas Jefferson borrowed heavily from the ideas of the
Enlightenment thinker John Locke when he wrote the
Declaration of Independence in 1776. Jefferson urged
colonists to part with the monarchy and become
republican citizens. The colonists' first attempt at
republican government was the Articles of Confederation
in 1781, and then the United States Constitution in 1787,
which further strengthened the power of the republic.
Basic Principles Of Republican
Government In The United States
The republican government in the United States has a few
basic principles:
The power and authority of government comes from
the people, not some supreme authority, or king.
The rights of the people are protected by a written
constitution and through the vote of the people.
The citizens give power to elected representatives,
based on majority rule, to serve their interests and act
on their behalf.
The representatives are responsible for helping all the
people in the country, not just a few people.

The stability of government rests with the people and
is dependent on civic involvement.
Advantages of a Republican
Government
Have you ever given up your own interests to do
something that is good for everyone? In a republican
government, selfish interests are given up for the common
good of the country. Let's take a look at more advantages
of a republican government.
Laws made by elected representatives are meant to be
fair. If people find laws unfair, they can elect other
leaders who can change those laws.
A republic allows greater freedom and prosperity.
Economic pursuit benefits the entire nation and people
are able to live well.
When government serves the interests of the entire
country, we say it is serving the common welfare .
There is wider participation in the political process.
According to the Declaration of Independence, all men
are created equal; therefore, it did not matter if you
were a small farmer or a powerful aristocrat. Ordinary
people are welcome to participate in government.
Leaders emerge based on people's talents, not their
birthright.
Civic virtue is promoted. Civic virtue includes
demonstrating civic knowledge (how government and
the political process works), self-restraint, self-
assertion, and self-reliance.