Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday 5 September 2015 / No comments
The advantages of the Republican system of Government
ADVANTAGES OF A REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT
It is constitutional
This means that everything that is done within the state, is done according to the tenets of the constitution. No official of state can violate the rights of any citizen of the state, for example.
It is representative
In a Republican system, the people who hold office are elected by the electorates themselves. They, therefore, represent their constituencies and are expected to take decisions that inure to the benefit of the people they represent.
It is democratic
In a republican system, people do not just come into the possession of political authority. Political authority is conferred on them through an election. Any form of government in which the rulers have to be elected into office in a general election is deemed to be democratic.
The power lies with the people
In a republic, ultimate power resides with the people. However, the people, from time to time, relinquish that power to a group of people they call leaders, to exercise on their behalf for a specific number of years. At the end of that period, the people decide whether such a group of people should be given the power again or another group of leaders should take over. So the actual power lies with the people.
The Head of State is not a Monarch
The Head of State in a republic is not imposed upon the people. The electorates do not wake up one day and realize that a new person is their leader without their say so. The people are responsible for putting a leader there or effecting a change of leadership all by themselves in a general election.
There are law and order
Representatives are directly elected to represent the constituents in Parliament. These representatives make laws to govern the land. There are also elected officials who form the executive arm of the government. Such officials enforce the laws that are passed by the Parliamentarians. So there is law and order.
Protection of citizens
With law and order operating in the republican system, the rights and liberties of the citizens are protected. In fact, the laws are specifically designed to achieve the protection of the individuals living within the borders of the state and even outside the state through international relations.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. What is a republican system of government?
b. Highlight six advantages of a republican system of government.
