Constitution Lecture 4: Democracy or Republic?

The Constitution sets up the United States as a republic, not a democracy. This lecture covers the difference between a democracy and a republic and why it's so important.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• constitution
• lecture
• politics
• freedom
• democracy
• republic

[aquadragon89]

lol Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[phenagan001]

I'm coming to this conversation way late, but what I think RadicalRyushin was describing was the old Anglo-Saxon/Jewish division of society (very interesting account in The 5000 Year Leap). The jist is that you work your way up from the individual/familial level up to the national level and solve problems on the lowest level possible. This, I believe, is echoed by the Constitution granting only certain enumerated powers to the national govt and leaving everything else to the states or the people

[kenny8331]

@thesageofohio that would be right though, but only in its truest form

[thesageofohio]

I agree/understand we are a republic, but try telling a Republican that doesnt mean we are then a Republican nation.

[shanedk]

@TheRadicalRyushin Well, it ALL can't be unconstitutional, because some of that is given to them by Article III.

[TheRadicalRyushin]

Blah blah blah blah...

I said all that with what I said earlier.

[shanedk]

@TheRadicalRyushin There's review of administrative acts, of primary legislation, of state legislation, of lower court rulings, the list goes on, all sorts of things, many of which are absolutely vital to the concept of separation of powers, and others which constitute an abuse of their authority.

Until you make it clear exactly what you mean, I cannot answer your question.

[TheRadicalRyushin]

Oh really? Like what, smartass?

[shanedk]

@TheRadicalRyushin Judicial Review refers to a few different things, idiot.

[TheRadicalRyushin]

You don't know what Judicial Review means? Forget about it. You should already know I mean by Judicial Review, the right to interpret the constitution and decide and judge on laws and executive acts upon their constitutionality. Goodness you are such a brick wall in the head.