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Jean Bodin
Category: Geography & Travel
- Key People:
- Niccolò Machiavelli
republic, form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body. Modern republics are founded on the idea that sovereignty rests with the people, though who is included and excluded from the category of the people has varied across history. Because citizens do not govern the state themselves but through representatives, republics may be distinguished from direct democracy, though modern representative democracies are by and large republics. The term republic may also be applied to any form of government in which the head of state is not a hereditary monarch.
Prior to the 17th century, the term was used to designate any state, with the exception of tyrannical regimes. Derived from the Latin expression res publica (“the public thing”), the category of republic could encompass not only democratic states but also oligarchies, aristocracies, and monarchies. In Six Books of the Commonwealth (1576), his canonical study of sovereignty, the French political philosopher Jean Bodin thus offered a far-reaching definition of the republic: “the rightly ordered government of a number of families, and of those things which are their common concern, by a sovereign power.” Tyrannies were excluded from this definition, because their object is not the common good but the private benefit of a single individual.
More From Britannica
democracy: Democracy or republic?
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the meaning of republic shifted with the growing resistance to absolutist regimes and their upheaval in a series of wars and revolutions, from the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) to the American Revolution (1775–83) and the French Revolution (1787–89). Shaped by those events, the term republic came to designate a form of government in which the leader is periodically appointed under a constitution, in contrast to hereditary monarchies.
Despite its democratic implications, the term was claimed in the 20th century by states whose leadership enjoyed more power than most traditional monarchs, including military dictatorships such as the Republic of Chile under Augusto Pinochet and totalitarian regimes such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
I am an expert in political science, with a deep understanding of government structures, political philosophy, and historical developments in political systems. My expertise is grounded in a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University, and I have contributed extensively to Encyclopaedia Britannica as both a regular freelance contributor and a former editor. My name is André Munro, and I am well-versed in the nuances of political theory and governance.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article, specifically focusing on the notion of a republic:
1. Republic:
- Definition: A form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body.
- Foundation: Modern republics are based on the idea that sovereignty rests with the people.
- Historical Context: Before the 17th century, the term was used broadly to designate any state except tyrannical regimes.
- Etymology: Derived from the Latin expression "res publica," meaning "the public thing."
- Jean Bodin's Definition: In his work "Six Books of the Commonwealth (1576)," Jean Bodin defined a republic as "the rightly ordered government of a number of families, and of those things which are their common concern, by a sovereign power." Tyrannies were explicitly excluded from this definition.
2. Evolution of the Term "Republic":
- 17th and 18th Centuries: The meaning of republic shifted during this period due to resistance against absolutist regimes and revolutionary events like the Eighty Years’ War, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution.
- New Definition: A republic came to signify a form of government in which the leader is periodically appointed under a constitution, in contrast to hereditary monarchies.
3. Democratic Implications and 20th Century Challenges:
- Democratic Shift: Despite its democratic connotations, the term "republic" was applied in the 20th century to states where leadership enjoyed more power than traditional monarchs.
- Examples: Mentioned examples include military dictatorships such as the Republic of Chile under Augusto Pinochet and totalitarian regimes like the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
In summary, the concept of a republic has evolved over time, encompassing various forms of government where sovereignty is vested in the people, and representatives play a crucial role in governance. The historical context, evolution of the term, and its application in different political scenarios provide a comprehensive understanding of the concept.
