Is the U.S a democracy or a republic?

Question

Is the U.S a democracy or a republic?

Answer 1

Democracy.

Answer 2

It is a constitutional republic structured as a representative democracy.

Answer 3

And to the republic for which it stands.

Republic.

Answer 4

It was a democratic republic, but now it is more like the Matrix

Answer 5

officially, a republic.

Answer 6

The United States is Both

"At the birth of societies, the rulers of Republics establish institutions, and after wards the institutions mold the rulers"

-Montesquieu.

What Montesquieu says holds truth. Look at our nation. It was about 55 guys including the ones that we most commonly know like Madison, Franklin, and others that went to Philadelphia and penned the declaration of independence and then later worked on the Articles of Confederation. (later to be scraped after the Revolutionary war and Replaced with our now viable constitution.) Those guys shaped how this country was founded, but then as it evolved, more control was given to the people as democracy flourished.

All that a republic means is that it is a nation that is ruled by laws. That's it. People try to put more emphasis into a republic, but that is pretty much the gist. However, without being a republic first, it is pretty much proven that you cannot ever be a democracy. Becoming a nation of laws is the first step to democracy.

Answer 7

Michael stated it best.  There are many kinds of republics.  But we are not a true democracy.  We choose representatives who vote for us.

Frankly, a true democracy would be a scary proposition.  Can you imagine the entire population voting on all legislation?

Answer 8

We are a Nationalist Socialist state.  the rest is smoke and mirrors.

Answer 9

republic for democracy, hard to believe sometimes

Answer 10

It's a republic.  We elect representatives; they vote for us.

Answer 11

republic. its in the pledge of allegion

Answer 12

Democratic Republic.

We vote for our representatives, who in turn vote on issues.

Answer 13

It is a constitutionally limited republic.

Government is limited to specific functions, and power is divided between the U.S. government and the States. The people elect representatives who speak for them.

In a pure democracy, the majority rules absolutely. In our government, the voice of the majority is tempered by the division of powers between the federal government and the States, and by the division of power within the three branches of the federal government. Under our system, any minority still has a voice.

Answer 14

Just say the Pledge of Allegiance & you will know the answer!

Answer 15

Democracy

Answer 16

Both.

The Pledge of Allegiance does not define our system of government, but no doubt a lot of Republicans glom onto the "republic" phrase in it and seem to think it validates the U.S. as a strict Republic and nothing more.    

Yeah, maybe a "Banana Republic", and based on how our President behaves, one would think that's his interpretation of it.