U.S. Citizenship Civics TestPrinciples of American DemocracyMedium
A new citizen is learning about the different types of government. He asks, 'What kind of government does the United States have?'
- AA direct democracy
- BAn oligarchy
- CA monarchy
- DA republic
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. A republic
The United States has a republic (or representative democracy), where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, rather than directly voting on every issue.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. In a direct democracy, citizens vote directly on all laws, which is not how the U.S. government primarily operates.
- B. An oligarchy is rule by a small group of people, which is not the U.S. system.
- C. A monarchy is ruled by a king or queen, which is not the U.S. system.
Republic (Representative Democracy)
A form of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives, rather than directly by the people themselves.
- Citizens elect representatives
- Representatives make decisions
- Prevents 'tyranny of the majority'
Memory trick: A REPUBLIC is REPRESENTATIVE, like your school REP.