Glossary / Political Systems
Republic
A state where the head of state is not a monarch, usually a president elected directly or indirectly.
Explanation
A republic is a form of government where the country is considered a public matter and the head of state is an elected or appointed official rather than a hereditary monarch. Republics can be democratic or authoritarian — the term refers to the form of state, not the quality of governance. The United States, France, and Germany are all republics. China and Iran are also formally republics, despite having very different political systems. The key distinction is from monarchies, where the head of state inherits the position.
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