Concept in Definition ABC

Coming from Latin, the term 'Republic' (public res, the "public thing", the thing made public) represents one of the forms of government more widely disseminated today in which the participation of much of the population it is central to the correct development of political events as well as social, economic and cultural events.

In the republic, the people are the subject of sovereignty since they are the only representative of public affairs, unlike other governments such as the aristocracy (government of the best), the monarchy (government of one only) or the oligarchy (the government of a few). It is also opposed to states of the totalitarian and authoritarian type by definition. The public act is constituted in the republic at the moment of the vote in which the sovereign citizens freely choose who should act as their representatives.

The republic as a current government system is characterized by certain elements basic to its nature and the lack or not Respect for any of them means the non-existence of a republic as such (although in terms the State bears the name of republic).

Among those founding elements of a republican state, we must mention the division of powers Come in Executive power, Legislative power and Judicial Power (division through which it is sought to allow internal control and avoid abuse of power), respect for the values ​​of freedom, justice and truth, access of all social elements to participation politics and the dissolution of class rights or privileges. Finally, the continuous and permanent participation of the people in politics is, moreover, the central element through which respect for the intentions of the majority of the people is ensured.

The republic as a form of government has not always been as we know it today. Republican Rome (509 BC) C. to 27 a. C.) is undoubtedly one of the most important historical moments of the republic system. However, in it not all citizens had access to power due to the existence of class privileges and social differentiation.