republic, democracy

These words are used interchangeably; the United States, for example, is referred to as a democracy as often as it is as a republic. The country was founded as a republic, a term meaning "a state in which the supreme power rests in citizens entitled to vote, which power is exercised by chosen representatives." "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands...." A democracy is "a state in which supreme power rests in the people and is exercised by them." The distinction lies in "government by elected representatives" and "government by the people." In essence, the United States is both a republic and a democracy, but careful writers sometimes distinguish between the words. The words Republican and Democratic have no specific meaning except as the names of political parties. Depending upon their party, candidates have been known to say "Vote the Democratic ticket because this country is a democracy" and "Vote the Republican ticket because this country is a republic." Recommendation: don't vote for either candidate; both are playing with words.