STUDY GUIDE FOR QUIZ ON REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT
What is a Republic?
 A republic is a country
 It has a government in which power is held by the people
 People elect representatives
 It is the job of the representatives to manage government for the sake of the common good
What did the Founders discover about the Roman Republic?


Roman people governed themselves without a king
Power was shared between 2 groups: the wealthy (Aristocrats) and the common people
What is an “Aristocrat?”

An “Aristocrat” is a wealthy person or a member of the upper class
What is the common good?

The common good is anything that is good for the community as a whole
ADVANTAGES AND INITIAL DISADVANTAGES OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT AS SEEN BY
THE FOUNDERS – the disadvantages listed below were addressed later on by the founders
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Rep – elected by the people to serve the
common good
Republican government works best in
small communities where people know
one another – as seen by the founders
Representative government makes making
laws more efficient – faster and better
Does not work well in larger communities
that are more diverse – where people are
less alike in their beliefs and way of life as seen by the founders
People have a voice/say in government
People delegate power to the reps
People elect their representatives
Representatives answer to the people
The people can vote them out if they
fail to make fair and just laws
In larger communities with more diversity,
people divide into special interest groups
called factions. These groups work against
each other – as seen by the founders
Who was the Father of the Constitution?

James Madison
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A DIRECT DEMOCRACY AND A REPUBLIC
Direct Democracy
Republic
1. The people create the laws
1. Representatives elected by the people.
They make the laws and run the gov.
2. Works better in a small community
2. Works in larger communities
CINCINNATUS AND CIVIC VIRTUE
CINCINNATUS
-
dropped everything
gave up self-interests to help community
refused title of dictator
valued his country more than his own fame
TERMS TO KNOW:
Aristocrat – the wealthy or upper class
Common good – anything that is good for the community as a whole
Civic Virtue – putting personal concerns and needs aside for the common good
Self-Interest – caring only about what benefits YOU
Republic – a government in which power is held by the people who elect representatives
Democracy – power is exercised by all citizens, either directly or through elected reps
Direct Democracy – People directly control and are responsible for the laws that govern their society. All
citizens partake in the creation of public policy
Representative Democracy – form of government in which people elect leaders to write and manage the laws
Autocracy – political power is controlled by ONE individual (monarch, dictator, emperor)
Monarchy – ruled by a king or queen; some have a constitution others do not
Dictatorship – power is not inherited but usually acquired by force. Absolute power –opposition surpressed
Theocracy – a rule by god or higher power. Religious leaders lead the society and religious law is used to
settle disputes
Oligarchy – rule by the few – usually the rich. A few people hold power based on military strength, family
Power, or religious force