Republic vs representative democracy vs direct democracy In those countries, a 'republican' government is one in which the people elect politicians to represent them, but a 'Republican' government is one run by members of the Republican party. In some countries, such as the United States, 'Republican' is also the proper name of a political party.
The word 'republic' comes from the Latin term res public, which means 'public things,' 'public matter,' or 'public affair.' This reflects the fact that governing in republics is considered the right and duty of the people as a whole, not the exclusive privilege of a small, elite group of rulers. A republic is a form of government in which the power is held by the people, but instead of ruling directly, the people loan their power to elected representatives who represent them and their interests.
