A system of government ran by ellected officials. Not a rare system of government at all. Republic by definition does not imply a concern for human rights or an inclusive democratic system. It just means that a governing body (aristocracy, military, general population, etc) ellected a head of state. Republics are by no means rare and are not necsessarily short lived. In fact, of the almost 200 currently existing soverign states in the world currently, roughly half of them are republics. And the republic of San Marino has had a life span of roughly 1700 years.
by gayreginageorge July 24, 2013
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1. A system of government involving the election of representatives and no hereditary offices.
2. A word used by certain political groups to refer to a government that does what they want.
1. The United States is governed by elected representatives and has no King or Queen so it is a republic.
2. Many conservatives talk about bringing back the "republic" and think the United States is not one because in their fantasy world the word "republic" means government that follows their beliefs.
by Truthshiner April 6, 2010
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a system in which the public "votes in" a few puppets to look like they're running the government, who are actually put in by the 10 or so people that control everything people read or see on TV, and convince them they're not being fucked as hard as they feel.
We're all taken care of in a republic! ...except THOSE guys..oh and THEM too...
by Pawnshop November 9, 2003
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Contrary to right-wing propaganda, a Republic is indeed a form of representative Democracy in which ordinary people elect officials to represent them in a legislature or parliament. Simply put, a Republic is the "what" and a Democracy is the "how." It's been that way since the Roman Republic was established in 509 B.C.

The notion that Democracy is a mob-rule involving direct citizen voting on every issue is a distortion spread by idiots like Tom Tancredo and radical ideologues like Pat Buchanan. They don't like the term "Democracy" because it reminds them of the Democratic party.

The opposite of a Republic is a Monarchy, not a Democracy.
"You know we have a Republic, not a Democracy, right?"

"You must be an intern at Fox News."
by Peter Kobs April 8, 2010
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Representative form of government pioneered in Greece but sophisticated in the Roman Republic. Involves districts with populace voters who elect their representative officials. United States is a Republic.
"This aint a democracy you idiot, its a republic"
by Jordon December 10, 2003
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