Republicanism is the imaginary or visionary theorization of governing a nation as a republic.

It refers to a
form of government where the head of state is appointed for a specific period by means of elections. These
leaders, rather than a select aristocracy make laws for the benefit of the entire republic. The exact meaning
of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context. However, in an ideal republic,
head of the state are selected from among the working people; they serve the republic for a defined period,
and then return to their work. The key conceptions of republicanism includes the importance of civic virtue,
the benefits of universal political participation, the dangers of corruption, the necessity of separate powers
and a healthy attitude for the rule of law.

The equality of the rights of citizens is a principle of republicanism. Every republican government is in
duty bound to protect all its citizens in the enjoyment of this principle, if within its power. The duty was
originally assumed by the States, and it still remains there.[ South & N. A. R. Co. v. Morris, 65 Ala. 193
(Ala. 1880)].

republic - a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and
which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

A republic (Latin: res publica) is a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter"
not the private concern or property of the rulers and where offices of state are elected or appointed,
rather than inherited. It is a form of government under which the head of state is not a monarch.

In Blacks Law Dictionary seventh addition, Republican government is not listed but Republic is;
Republic. n. A system of government in which the people hold sovereign power and elect representatives
who exercise that power. It contrasts on the one hand with a pure democracy, in which the people or
community as an organized whole wield the sovereign power of government, and on the other with the rule
of one person (such as a king, emperor, czar, or sultan). - Blacks Law Dictionary
(seventh edition)

14 Characteristics of REPUBLICANISM
1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism: Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic
mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag
symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights: Because of fear of enemies and the need for
security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain
cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture,
summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause: The people are rallied into a unifying
patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or
religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4.) Supremacy of the Military: Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is
given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected.
Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5.) Rampant Sexism: The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-
dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to
abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
 6.) Controlled Mass Media: Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in
other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media
spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7.) Obsession With National Security: Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over
the masses

8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined: Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most
common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and
terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are
diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9.) Corporate Power is Protected: The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often
are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial
business/government relationship and power elite.

10.) Labor Power is Suppressed: Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a
fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts: Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility
to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be
censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often
refuse to fund the arts.

12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment: Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost
limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even
forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with
virtually unlimited power in fascist nations

13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption: Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of
friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental
power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist
regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by
government leaders.

14.) Fraudulent Elections: Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times
elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition
candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and
manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or
control elections.

Republicanism is a theory of government that emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good
of the community. The responsibilities and duties of citizens are paramount, and the exemplary citizen
readily subordinates personal to public interests. In contrast to liberalism which is concerned primarily with
the personal and private rights of individuals, republicanism stresses the public rights of individuals,
republicanism stresses the public rights and obligations of citizens to cooperate in support of their
community.
Essential characteristics of republicanism are beliefs or assumptions about the relationships of individuals,
the community, and government, including the following ideas:
The needs of the community are considered superior to the claims of the individual
Citizens are obligated to participate extensively and cooperatively in public affairs
The common civic identity is primary over diverse and particular identities
Political and civic unity are valued more than diversity or pluralism in the community
Citizens are equal in their duties, responsibilities, and rights
Participation by citizens is the means to accountability in government and to personal
fulfillment
Popular sovereignty is the foundation of good government
Good government carries out the general will of the people
All citizens are capable of self-rule
All citizens are capable of civic virtue and are obligated to cultivate it
Good republican government depends upon the continuous civic and political participation of
virtuous citizens

Republicanism is rooted in the political and civic ideas of classical antiquity, as they were expressed and
practiced in the city-communities of Greece and in the Republic of Rome. These ideas were revived during
the Renaissance era in western Europe, particularly in the city-based republics of northern Italy, such as
Florence, Genoa, and Venice. Leading French philosophers of the European Enlightenment, such as
Montesquieu and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, also put forward republican political ideas.

By contrast, the political philosophy of liberalism, based on the primacy of constitutional government
designed to guarantee the inherent and inalienable rights of individuals. The founding era produced a hybrid
theory of liberal republicanism that developed into the democratic republic of the United States of America
and subsequently influenced the worldwide spread of representative and constitutional democracy.

Proponents of the participatory model of democracy emphasize republicanism more than liberalism, but
both systems of political thought have a place in their ideas about good government. Conversely, advocates
of the liberal model of democracy recognize the importance of political and civic participation for the
common good, but they subordinate it to the personal and private rights of individuals. There is an ongoing
debate among promoters of representative and constitutional democracy about eh appropriate blend of these
two strains of political thought in the institutions of government and the public life of citizens.

Manifestations of a Democratic and Republican State (Sec. 1, Art. II)

1. The existence of a bill of rights;
2. The observance of the rule of majority;
3. The observance of the principle that ours is a government of laws, and not of men;
4. The presence of elections through popular will;
5. The observance of the principle of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances;
6. The observance of the principle that the legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws;
7. The observance of the law on public officers; and
8. The observance of the principle that the State cannot be sued without its consent.