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 DISADVANTAGES OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT AS SEEN 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
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
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
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:
Constitution – a legal framework for government
 It tells how government is organized and run
 It can be written or unwritten
 All countries have one
Constitutional Government
 A government with limits on the powers of the person or group running it
Autocratic –(dictatorial)
 A government that does NOT limit the powers of its government

May limit power but does not enforce those limits
Limits on Government – there are certain things government cannot do. Example… They cannot force
someone to testify against themselves in court
Monarchy
 A government where the power is held by a single ruler
 Usually power is held by either a king or a queen
Higher Law
 In a constitutional government, the constitution is the higher law.
 It is the law of the land
 Everyone obeys it
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT AND ME
Q. Can citizens expect rights without assuming responsibility? Explain.
A. NO. With rights comes responsibility. Everyone is responsible for upholding their own rights as well as.
the rights of others.
Q. At what point does the common good of society limit your rights?
A. No single person has the absolute right to do or say anything they want. They cannot hurt anyone, break a
law, or violate the rights of another in exercising their own rights.
Q. If you choose to live among others in a society and enjoy that society’s benefits, are you responsible for
obeying society’s rules?
A. YES! Enjoying benefits or having greater freedom brings greater responsibility. For example, as a
New Jersey resident, I have the privilege of getting a license and driving a car. However, I must do so
responsibly, or the state of New Jersey can revoke (take away) my license. If I decide to exercise my
right to drink alcohol and drive, I have broken the law and I can have my license suspended.