This debate should be interesting--most people say that it is a democracy. But, according to the Constitution we are a republic. Watch this video--it is a great explanation of what we should be.

It's probably best described as a Democratic Republic; simply calling it a Republic does not confer the totality of the concept we are operating under.

Most Republics of the past, including the original United States, did not enfranchise the entire population (neither did the first Democracies). A true popular vote never existed in Rome, Revolutionary France, Apartheid South Africa, Soviet Union, early America etc...etc...

There were always groups of adults left out; whether it be women, blacks, opposing political ideologies, members of certain classes or castes, non-natural born citizens and others who didn't hold the same status and the politically privileged classes.

Today, everyone 18 and over, who are legal citizens of the United States can vote in any jurisdiction they are a member of. (The only group left out, in some states, are convicted felons). In addition to the ability to cast your vote for someone you favor to accept or reject legislation there are always statutes (at the state and local level) that allow you to establish and vote in pure Democratic referendums.

Of course, for the most part, indirect representation through elected legislatures, some judges, and the executives of the State and Federal government is the way in which our nation's laws and policies are shaped. Because of that, we are a Republic primarily, not a Democracy.

We're also shifted a little away from Democracy due to the indirect way our presidents are chosen, through the electoral college. Of course, this is the only person in the country elected in such a way (I think), and the only position that can be elected without over 50% of the vote.

Otherwise, though, the popular vote of the totally enfranchised population I think allows us to prefix our Republic with the term "Democratic", it allows us to know that we are mostly a Republic, but we have plenty of Democratic aspects.

Democracy means the "rule of the people." Because of democracy, we now have the Black Vote (1965 Voting Rights Act) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072053/posts and Women's Suffrage (1920 Nineteenth Amendment) http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content;_type_id=932&display;_order=1&mini;_id=1286

Consider this quote: "In a country with benevolent and compassionate citizens, democracy could be a good thing. The history of human nature, however, is frequently punctuated with evil deeds. One popular definition of democracy is 'two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.' The majority dictating the future of the individual."

What is your take on the above quote?

Technically, it is both. The constitution says, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government" but check out the definition of republic:

republic (n) 1 : a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and is usually a president; also : a nation or other political unit having such a government 2 : a government in which supreme power is held by the citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives governing according to law; also : a nation or other political unit having such a form of government

One cannot have a republic that is not a democracy. So, by definition, we are a democracy.