What is a republic? The definition of this word refers to social and economic geography. Next, we will talk about the meaning of the concept, its essence. We learn about the history and varieties of republics.
Republic: definition and history of the term
The concept itself arose back in the Middle Ages in the northern part of Italy. In the 15th century, it was decided to designate local city-states. They were small independent territories in the form of communes or seigniori.
Initially, they were called Libertas Populi, which translated means "free people." Cities had full self-government and were not included in larger entities. Later, Italian historians designated them with the Latin term res publica, emphasizing that the policy of city states was carried out according to a popular decision, and not the will of a single monarch.
Currently, the meaning of the word "republic" has not changed. The republic is a form of government in which bodies of higher authority are elected by special institutions or residents of the country. It is often confused with democracy, but these are different concepts.
Signs of the Republic
Unlike the traditional monarchy, citizens of the republic have not only personal, but also political rights. Their direct influence on the political life of the country is manifested in the popular vote during the elections for certain government posts.
The main distinguishing feature of the republic is that the president does not inherit power, but is elected to his post. He is considered the first person in the state and represents the executive branch. Legislative power is vested in parliament.
The republic clearly has the principle of separation of duties. Most of the supreme organs are elective. Their powers have a specific term, which cannot be extended. To re-take office, you must re-go through the election process. The powers of the authorities can be terminated early if their work is unsatisfactory.
History of origin and development
The first republics appeared long before this term appeared. The ramified structure of power was already observed in Mesopotamia. The supreme bodies then were councils or assemblies. All full residents could take part in them.
Of course, ancient states were significantly different from modern ones. In their organization, they rather occupied an intermediate link between the monarchical and republican systems. In ancient Greece and Rome, the republic had two forms - aristocracy and democracy. In the first case, power was in the hands of the privileged nobility, in the second - it belonged to the popular assembly.
In the Middle Ages, forms of government are clearly delineated. Republican city states appear in Italy, Switzerland, Germany. On the territory of Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhya Sich is formed, the Dubrovnik Republic arises in Croatia, and the Pskov and Novgorod Regions in Russia. In Europe, the oldest republic is San Marino. It was formed 1700 years ago and still has not changed its shape.
Varieties
There are four main types of republics: presidential, parliamentary, mixed, and theocratic. Varieties are determined by which representative body has great powers and responsibilities.
In the presidential republic, the president is the main person in charge. He has the right to submit his laws to parliament, to appoint and dissolve the government. In world history, the first republic with a presidential bias is the United States. George Washington became its president, combining the post of head of state and government in one person.
A parliamentary republic is a state where the president performs only representative functions. All important decisions belong to parliament. He forms the government, develops and passes bills. Under a mixed system of government, power is equally divided between parliament and the president. The government is equally accountable to these two bodies.
Theocratic republic is a special kind of state in which power belongs to the religious elite and the clergy. Decisions are made according to religious precepts, revelations, or laws.
In addition, there are other republic countries:
- Federated.
- Democratic.
- People’s.
- Islamic.
- Soviet.
- Veche.
The last two do not exist at present.
Features
The republic is the most common form of government. On the modern political map of the world there are 140 such states. They are distinguished from the ancient states by the presence of a special document that completely determines their structure, method and order of interaction between the highest authorities and the people. Such a document is the constitution.
The vast majority of republics are representative democracies. The power in them belongs to the whole people, without distinguishing any classes. Representation is manifested in the fact that the people delegate the government of the country to certain bodies (parliament, president, etc.). That is, the participation of citizens is indirect.
Republics can be either independent states or dependent. They may be part of other states, including monarchical ones. So, as part of Russia - 21 republics (Mari El, Altai, Dagestan and others).
Advantages and disadvantages
Historians and philosophers have argued about the appropriateness of this form of government for centuries. Like any system, the republic has strengths and weaknesses. Below are some of them.
Pros:
- Election of bodies of higher authority. The people have the right to participate in the fate of the state, choosing worthy leaders.
- Government responsibility to citizens. If the highest authorities incorrectly perform their functions, they may be punished, they run the risk of not being elected for the next term or lose their authority ahead of schedule.
- The republic has more opportunities for democracy, since decisions in the state are made not at the request of one person, but at the behest of the majority.
- An opportunity to avoid revolution and bloody riots. The government is a representative of the people and expresses their will, with the discontent of the population it is forced to listen to it.
Minuses:
- The choice of the people is not always true. Since the composition of the higher organs is determined by voting, it becomes possible to manipulate society.
- The adoption of government decisions requires certain procedures, so it can drag on in time.
- Perhaps the emergence of a dictatorship of the majority, when the highest authorities abuse the situation.
- Over time, plutocracy and separation of classes appear.