Republic

A republic is a form o govrenment whaur pouer is exercised bi the public in general,^[1] an affairs o state are a concern o the public sphere (frae Laitin: res publica), an no privately accommodatit (like throuch inheritance or divine mandate).

Representation in a republic micht or michtnae be freely electit bi the common fowk. In mony auld republics, representation wis based on personal staunin, an elections played a sma pairt. This still rings true the day; amang the 159 states that uise "republic" in their offeecial names as o 2024, an ither states formally set up as republics, there are places that tightly haud doon baith the richt tae representation an the process o election.

The term cam tae haud its modren meanin in reference tae the constitution o the auld Roman Republic, fae the owerthrow o the kings in 509 BC tae the settin up o the Empire in 27 BC. This constitution wis marked by a Senate made up o walthie aristocrats wi muckle influence; several popular assemblies o aw free citizens, wi the pouer tae elect magistrates frae amang the common fowk an pass laws; an a series o magistracies wi different kinds o civil an poleetical authority.

1. ↑ "Republic". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 14 August 2010.