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.

A republic is a form of government in which the people elect, or choose, their leaders. In most countries with a republican government, the people elect the head of the government, such as a president. They also elect other people, called representatives, to make laws.

A “republic” is a form of government in which the people hold power, but elect representatives to exercise that power.

The Constitution established the United States as a democratic republic. It is democratic because the people govern themselves, and it is a republic because the government's power is derived from its people. This means that our government – federal, state, and local – is elected by the citizens.