What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?

Answer by  BobM (20)

A Republic is a government defined by a charter, such as the U.S. Constitution. A Democracy is a government that is defined by the majority rule, and as such is only as free as its people deem it to be. A Republic must have an alteration of its charter to make significant changes to itself.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

A democracy has direct election, without constraints. A republic has restrictions on what the democracy can do. For example, a lynch mob is technically a democracy.

Answer by  Semaj (83)

A democracy involves each citizen voting on every matter, in the Athenian model, while a Republic involves the citizens voting representatives into office to vote on matters on their behalf.