Republican System Of Government SS1 Government Lesson Note

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

A Republican system of government can be defined as one in which there is an elected head of state called a president, elected by the people for a fixed term of office. A sovereign state is referred to as a republic if the country has no traditional ruler as a head of state. Government is constituted strictly by election and there is freedom of the judiciary.

 FEATURES OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

1. The head of state known as the president is elected by the people.

2. A Republican must be politically independent.

3. Members of the legislature in a republic are directly elected by the people.

4. Elections are usually periodic. In some political systems, it is held every four or five years.

5. The constitution is supreme under the Republican system of government; both the rulers and the followers must abide by its provision.

6. All citizens have equal opportunity to vote or to be voted for in an election.

7. It is usually characterized by a multi-party democratic system.

8. The political leaders must be responsive and accountable to the people they are representing. 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN REPUBLICANISM AND MONARCHY

1. In a republican state, the head of state is the president, while in a monarchy the king, queen or emperor is the head of state.  

2. In a republican state the president is elected by the people, while in a monarchy, ascension to the throne is hereditary.

3. While in a republican state, the president stays in office for a fixed term, in a monarchy the monarch does not have a fixed term.

4. In a republican government, the elected representatives are responsible and accountable to the people, while in a monarchy, representatives are not accountable to the people.

5. There are limitations to the exercise of powers in a republican government, while in a monarchy, limitations to the exercise of powers constitutional monarchy, not an absolute monarchy.

6. In a republican state, people abide by the provisions of the constitution, while in a monarchy (absolute monarch), the powers of the head of state are supreme.

7. A republican government is democratic and there is respect for the rule of law, but a monarchy is undemocratic and there is no respect for the rule of law.

8. There are periodic elections in a republican government, while in a monarchy, succession to some political office is through appointments.