A democratic republic is a form of government that combines elements of both democracy and republicanism. In this system, the people have the power to elect their leaders through free and fair elections, ensuring that citizens participate in decision-making (democracy). At the same time, the country is governed by elected representatives and operates according to a constitution or set of laws, rather than by a monarch or hereditary ruler (republic)
. Key features of a democratic republic include:
- Citizens elect leaders who govern on their behalf.
- The head of state is usually elected, not inherited.
- Governance follows a constitution that limits power and protects rights.
- The system often includes representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions for the people.
- Not all citizens may have voting rights due to legal restrictions such as age or criminal status.
For example, the United States and India are democratic republics where power is vested in elected representatives and governed by constitutional law
. In summary, a democratic republic is a government where the people hold ultimate power through elections, and those elected govern according to constitutional laws rather than hereditary rule or dictatorship
