Difference between revisions of "Republican form of government"
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| − | '''The [[Republican]] Form of [[government]]''' is one in which the powers of sovereignty are | + | '''The [[Republican]] Form of [[government]]''' is one in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially |
| − | vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or | + | delegated. Unlike the democratic form of government, in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the whole body of free [[citizens]], individuals retain sovereign prerogatives over their private property rights (absolute ownership) of their person, labor and [[property]]. |
| − | through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially | ||
| − | delegated. Unlike the democratic form of government, in which the powers of | ||
| − | sovereignty are vested in the whole body of free [[citizens]], individuals retain | ||
| − | sovereign prerogatives over their private property rights (absolute ownership) | ||
| − | of their person, labor and [[property]]. | ||
The [[U.S. Constitution]] guarantees a republican form to the states. (See | The [[U.S. Constitution]] guarantees a republican form to the states. (See | ||
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Some draw from the [[Judeo-Christian]] philosophy that [[God]] granted dominion | Some draw from the [[Judeo-Christian]] philosophy that [[God]] granted dominion | ||
| − | (absolute ownership) over the earth to man (see Genesis 1:26), sovereignty | + | (absolute ownership) over the earth to man (see Genesis 1:26), thus sovereignty |
follows. Since absolute ownership cannot be exercised collectively, individual | follows. Since absolute ownership cannot be exercised collectively, individual | ||
sovereignty is inherent in the endowment. Each man absolutely owns himself, his | sovereignty is inherent in the endowment. Each man absolutely owns himself, his | ||
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form of government. Many are misled to assume that the republican form is merely | form of government. Many are misled to assume that the republican form is merely | ||
a populist democracy limited by constitution. In fact, exercising political | a populist democracy limited by constitution. In fact, exercising political | ||
| − | liberty (voting and holding office) requires one to step down in status, from | + | liberty ''(voting and holding office)'' requires one to step down in status, changing from |
the republican form to the democratic form. American citizens are assumed to | the republican form to the democratic form. American citizens are assumed to | ||
have voluntarily accepted obligations and duties associated with democracy that | have voluntarily accepted obligations and duties associated with democracy that | ||
are inapplicable to the people at large. For example, conscription, if | are inapplicable to the people at large. For example, conscription, if | ||
compulsory, would be a violation of liberty and life. However, in American law, | compulsory, would be a violation of liberty and life. However, in American law, | ||
| − | sovereign people are not subjects to or objects of such impositions. | + | sovereign people are not subjects to or objects of such impositions - only citizens are obligated. |
Another misconception is that elected officials in the legislature are | Another misconception is that elected officials in the legislature are | ||
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to bind them to obedience. In a republican form, the individual's delegated | to bind them to obedience. In a republican form, the individual's delegated | ||
representative who exercises power on his behalf, in defense of his life, | representative who exercises power on his behalf, in defense of his life, | ||
| − | liberty or property rights is not the legislature but the executive officer | + | liberty or property rights is not the legislature but the appropriate executive officer. |
| − | sheriff, if within a county, | + | A sheriff, if within a county, is his representative. |
| + | Or an ambassador is his representative, if within a foreign nation. | ||
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Since property and sovereignty are inseparable, one without property cannot | Since property and sovereignty are inseparable, one without property cannot | ||
exercise dominion (sovereignty). Absolute ownership by an individual of land, | exercise dominion (sovereignty). Absolute ownership by an individual of land, | ||
| − | houses, and chattels, characterizes private property. Private property is | + | houses, and chattels, characterizes private property. [[Private property]] is |
protected from being taken for public use without just compensation (see U.S. | protected from being taken for public use without just compensation (see U.S. | ||
| − | Constitution, Fifth Amendment). To exercise natural liberty, a domicile (legal | + | Constitution, [[Fifth Amendment]]). To exercise natural liberty, a domicile (legal |
permanent home) is essential. Powers and rights are the prerogative of a | permanent home) is essential. Powers and rights are the prerogative of a | ||
sovereign, while privileges and immunities are the prerogatives of a citizen. | sovereign, while privileges and immunities are the prerogatives of a citizen. | ||
| Line 81: | Line 77: | ||
[[Category: Forms of Government]] | [[Category: Forms of Government]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <small><references/></small> | ||
Revision as of 18:28, November 14, 2007
The Republican Form of government is one in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated. Unlike the democratic form of government, in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the whole body of free citizens, individuals retain sovereign prerogatives over their private property rights (absolute ownership) of their person, labor and property.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees a republican form to the states. (See Art.4,Sec.4)
Basic concept
The Republican form is based on the foundation that people are supreme, and governments are instituted to help secure their rights to life, liberty and property. Examples of sovereign prerogatives are the right to defend private property with deadly force, right of locomotion (freedom to travel) upon public roads and waterways, and free exercise of rights and powers.
Philosophical foundations
Some draw from the Judeo-Christian philosophy that God granted dominion (absolute ownership) over the earth to man (see Genesis 1:26), thus sovereignty follows. Since absolute ownership cannot be exercised collectively, individual sovereignty is inherent in the endowment. Each man absolutely owns himself, his labor and fruits of his labor, as well as the land he acquires. This parallels the legal definition for private property, that which is absolutely owned by an individual.
Common misconceptions
It is a common error to assume that a republic is synonymous with a republican form of government. Many are misled to assume that the republican form is merely a populist democracy limited by constitution. In fact, exercising political liberty (voting and holding office) requires one to step down in status, changing from the republican form to the democratic form. American citizens are assumed to have voluntarily accepted obligations and duties associated with democracy that are inapplicable to the people at large. For example, conscription, if compulsory, would be a violation of liberty and life. However, in American law, sovereign people are not subjects to or objects of such impositions - only citizens are obligated.
Another misconception is that elected officials in the legislature are representatives for the people at large. In fact, they can only represent constituents, i.e., citizens / voters who gave consent, thus power of attorney to bind them to obedience. In a republican form, the individual's delegated representative who exercises power on his behalf, in defense of his life, liberty or property rights is not the legislature but the appropriate executive officer. A sheriff, if within a county, is his representative. Or an ambassador is his representative, if within a foreign nation.
Essential elements
Since property and sovereignty are inseparable, one without property cannot exercise dominion (sovereignty). Absolute ownership by an individual of land, houses, and chattels, characterizes private property. Private property is protected from being taken for public use without just compensation (see U.S. Constitution, Fifth Amendment). To exercise natural liberty, a domicile (legal permanent home) is essential. Powers and rights are the prerogative of a sovereign, while privileges and immunities are the prerogatives of a citizen.
Current Trends
Due to the widespread enrollment into Social Security (national socialism), private property ownership has been practically eradicated within the U.S.A. In its place, qualified ownership has superseded it. Socialism (and Communism) abolish absolute ownership by individuals, and replace it with collective ownership by society, as a whole. Thus it would appear that the republican form has been supplanted by the democratic form of government.
Citations
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. One in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated. In re Duncan, 139 U.S. 449, 11 S.Ct. 573, 35 L.Ed. 219; Minor v. Happersett, 88 U.S. (21 Wall.) 162, 22 L.Ed. 627.
References