Good for you. One never knows.

Another help: A term used by @tzu

“Self-possession” - the philosophical definition.

Monarch or…?

It’s not waffling… its acknowledging that what the founder’s definition of republic presumes a representative form of government.

Yes.

What is the difference between a republic and any other form of representative government?

Or a defacto monarchy like NK?

Let’s say what a Republic is NOT and make it easier.

NOT:

Monarchy
Direct democracy
Authoritarian regimes disguised loosely as a Republic. For example, the People’s Republic of China has an elected People’s Congress, but is obviously not a Republican.

A republic can take an infinite number of forms and no one definition fits.

There are numerous types of governments that qualify as republics, but they fit into just two main forms, Presidential and Parliamentary.

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No. What else besides monarch?

What is the difference between a republic and every other type of representative government?

Without cheating: doesn’t a republic have something to do with states as well?

Article IV, Section 4. Read past the guarantee.

To answer your question: Good question. It might in our case, but not in general. So I would say no.

It has to do with the “s” word that causes vapors. I like “self-possession” now.

It has to do with the underlying pinning principle of our legal system. It has to do with due process and such concepts as ex post facto law. I think the legal system is where you can really see it.

In my opinion of course.

Other types of representative governments (other than Constitutional Monarchies) are republics.

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State, county and municipal governments are all republics.

I don’t think so, not at its core. The states are part of a federated form of government. I think you can have a republic without a federal system. The French Republic has departments but the departments themselves do not have and never have had the same rights and powers of the American states.

I think what makes a republic a true republic, at least from the American standpoint, is a series of mechanisms designed to protect the rights of its citizens. A mechanism so strong that not even the government can infringe upon them. Even with the passing of laws.

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Name one and tell me what makes it a republic. Are you claiming as long as there is no monarch it is a republic? Surely not?

If we vote for a king to represent us, is it a republic?

Incorrect.

So close…

Federalist 39 - Madison

He tried, but in his haste to get a constitution ratified, he missed the key point.

Of course I have the advantage of hindsight.

The national vs. federal (from confederacy) thoughts are interesting as well. Pretty much explains why the 17th is an abomination, too.

What? California has 55 electoral college votes and Utah has 6. If you don’t like small states having extra power, at least stick with the way the Senate seats are apportioned.

And then see if you can get all those small states to give up their Constitutional rights for an amendment.

Brutus #1 - Yates

Some interesting thoughts and warnings, but I believe he too missed the mark some.