General Discussion

muriel_volestrangler

(106,174 posts)

31. I think the reason is that people like that admire Rome more than Athens

Mon Oct 14, 2013, 06:14 PM

Oct 2013

'Republic' - meaning 'object of the people' in Latin - is what Rome called itself. 'Democracy' - 'rule by the people' in Greek - is what Athens tried, for a bit. Both, of course, had slaves, and women got no say (apart from any personal influence the richest might have had), but Rome divided people up into classes more. It did last longer, and conquered more territory, and was nominally a 'republic' when in fact it was an empire in which supreme power was inherited, or seized by someone with sufficient military support.

I think those that like to insist the the USA is not a democracy are most in love with the military aspects of Rome.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

60 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

FB friend is obsessed with the notion that the country is a republic (and not a democracy). [View all] Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 OP

They aren't mutually exclusive. Bok_Tukalo Oct 2013 #1

They think that "democracy" gives credit to Democrats jonsiee Oct 2013 #2

You may be onto something. They seem to hate the very notion of "democracy", kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #16

They hate the idea of Democracy because they know pnwmom Oct 2013 #36

Yeah, this^^^ TDale313 Oct 2013 #52

I agree. I noticed in the 90s that they began to replace the sentimental use of "democracy"... Tom Ripley Oct 2013 #55

The country is a democratic republic Kelvin Mace Oct 2013 #3

the US is a Constitutional Republic with Democratically elected reps solarhydrocan Oct 2013 #40

Well, technically speaking, the US is a constitutionally limited representative democratic republic wyldwolf Oct 2013 #48

Tell him he's an idiot but not an ignoramus. CJCRANE Oct 2013 #4

There's a couple of reasons to focus on it - some of which are quite silly el_bryanto Oct 2013 #5

Tell him to familiarise himself with wikipedia... sibelian Oct 2013 #6

Well, it is a Republic. That said, we do practice representative democracy. I think he GreenPartyVoter Oct 2013 #7

A republic is OldEurope Oct 2013 #8

In my experience, madamesilverspurs Oct 2013 #9

Exactly, to make themselves feel "smart." Like pretending to have read "Atlas Shrugged" arcane1 Oct 2013 #20

It's more than that. It's a way of saying that they know they're outnumbered, pnwmom Oct 2013 #39

+1000 Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #45

To derail the larger discussion zipplewrath Oct 2013 #10

A republic is just any government sans monarch. NuclearDem Oct 2013 #11

So he should be asked to respond to the question Sheepshank Oct 2013 #41

Nitpick mode activated: NuclearDem Oct 2013 #47

Fill in the blank ... i miss america Oct 2013 #12

He's perfectly idiotic. sibelian Oct 2013 #14

China is a republic. Does that mean America is the same as China? nt CJCRANE Oct 2013 #15

Iran is a Republic as well...! nt MADem Oct 2013 #18

Anybody that uses sharp_stick Oct 2013 #21

I'm sorry that you have such a difficult time with our nation's history i miss america Oct 2013 #54

The Pledge of Allegiance ... ? REALLY? closeupready Oct 2013 #24

Welllll...it *was* written by an avowed Socialist. Ikonoklast Oct 2013 #53

Yes, really. You don't think it has credibility? i miss america Oct 2013 #58

That is really cute, but still make no points toward the OP. Rex Oct 2013 #43

"and to the republic for which it stands..." maxsolomon Oct 2013 #13

It is not even that now, the people we elect work for the companies The Straight Story Oct 2013 #17

IMO your viewpoint is right on target i miss america Oct 2013 #56

Let me guess, poli sci major in college? X_Digger Oct 2013 #19

It's a meme because if this were simple majority rule pnwmom Oct 2013 #35

I hear it most from poli sci majors- that's all I was saying. X_Digger Oct 2013 #38

My reply: ieoeja Oct 2013 #22

A very easy explanation: "Democracy is the style of government... louis-t Oct 2013 #23

Every Republican I know has used that line on me, once. nt tridim Oct 2013 #25

must be a neil boorz listener DrDan Oct 2013 #26

Its an asshole's way to control the discussion, it's a meme the libertarians have been mulsh Oct 2013 #27

Just because its a republic - doesn't make being a republican a good thing or even a right thing. Blue Idaho Oct 2013 #28

Maybe he's just vehemently anti-Monarchist? Humanist_Activist Oct 2013 #29

We are both. NutmegYankee Oct 2013 #30

I think the reason is that people like that admire Rome more than Athens muriel_volestrangler Oct 2013 #31

funny, we were a democracy during the Cold War eShirl Oct 2013 #32

They oppose majority rule. I ran into someone like that just yesterday pnwmom Oct 2013 #33

the majority can rule to take away the freedom of speech solarhydrocan Oct 2013 #42

Perhaps it's the only fact he knows. n/t Orsino Oct 2013 #34

Tell the damned Fool to look up the word "Republic" and read the whole fucking definition. nt bluestate10 Oct 2013 #37

Technically, the USA is a representative republic. Jenoch Oct 2013 #44

It's false intellectualism... Adrahil Oct 2013 #46

Thom Harmann spoke of this once wyldwolf Oct 2013 #49

Hey, I know that guy on FB Beearewhyain Oct 2013 #50

Except for the grammar issue, you've pretty much nailed him. Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 #59

One thing about libertarians Beearewhyain Oct 2013 #60

It's an old John Birch Society slogan starroute Oct 2013 #51

Great link explaining all this teabagger bullshit Narkos Oct 2013 #57