Republic vs. Country — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 16, 2023
A republic is a form of government where representatives are elected, while a country is a distinct territorial body or political entity recognized as independent.
Difference Between Republic and Country
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A republic and a country are distinct concepts, often used in political and geographical contexts. A republic pertains to a specific form of governance. In a republic, the power to govern resides with the people who choose their representatives through elections. This stands in contrast to monarchies or dictatorships where power may be concentrated with a single individual or a specific group.
On the other hand, a country represents a distinct territorial body or a political entity that is recognized as an independent nation. Every country has its unique culture, legal system, and governance structure. While every republic is a country, not every country is a republic.
For instance, the United States is both a republic, due to its representative democracy, and a country as it's a sovereign entity. Conversely, Saudi Arabia is a country but not a republic since it's a monarchy.
A republic emphasizes the means and nuances of governance. It revolves around principles of representation and public participation. In contrast, a country stands as a broader term encompassing land, people, culture, and governance, irrespective of the latter's form.
To illustrate further, France, being both a country and a republic, has its citizens participating in governance through elections. But when one speaks of France as a country, they could be referring to its culture, geography, or even its historical context, beyond just its political structure.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A form of government with elected representatives.
A distinct territorial or political entity recognized as independent.
Representation
Implies a system where public representatives are elected.
Does not specify the type of governance.
Scope
Refers specifically to a governance structure.
Encompasses land, culture, people, and governance.
Examples
USA, France, India
USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia
Can be synonymous?
Not all republics are countries.
All countries can have different forms of governance, including being a republic.
Compare with Definitions
Republic
A republic is a governance form with elected officials.
The United States is a republic with a president as its head.
Country
A country is a sovereign territorial entity.
Canada is a country known for its beautiful landscapes.
Republic
A republic is the opposite of a monarchy.
In a republic, there isn't a king or queen ruling by hereditary right.
Country
A country can have varied forms of government, including republics or monarchies.
Saudi Arabia is a country with a monarchical system.
Republic
A republic may have a constitution safeguarding rights.
The constitution of the republic ensures freedom of speech for its citizens.
Country
A country has defined boundaries and a governance system.
Each country has its unique culture and traditions.
Republic
A republic operates on principles of representation and public participation.
In this republic, leaders are accountable to the people who elect them.
Country
A country represents its people, land, and culture.
Japan is a country rich in history and traditions.
Republic
A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president.
Country
A country has international recognition and sovereignty.
Despite being a small island, Malta is an independent country.
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Country
A nation or state.
Republic
A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
Country
The territory of a nation or state; land.
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Country
The people of a nation or state; populace
The whole country will profit from the new economic reforms.
Republic
Often Republic A specific republican government of a nation
The Fourth Republic of France.
Country
The land of a person's birth or citizenship
Foreign travel is restricted in his country.
Republic
An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation.
Country
A region, territory, or large tract of land distinguishable by features of topography, biology, or culture
Hill country.
Bible country.
Republic
A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field
The republic of letters.
Country
An area or expanse outside cities and towns; a rural area
A vacation in the country.
Republic
A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
The United States is a republic; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy.
Country
The people of a district who are eligible for jury service.
Republic
(archaic) A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.
Country
A jury.
Republic
One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.
The Republic of Udmurtia is west of the Permian Oblast.
Country
(Informal) Country music.
Republic
Common weal.
Country
Of, relating to, or typical of the country
A country road.
Country cooking.
Republic
A state in which the sovereign power resides in the whole body of the people, and is exercised by representatives elected by them; a commonwealth. Cf. Democracy, 2.
Country
Of or relating to country music.
Republic
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Country
(chiefly British) An area of land; a district, region.
Republic
A form of government whose head of state is not a monarch;
The head of state in a republic is usually a president
Country
A set region of land having particular human occupation or agreed limits, especially inhabited by members of the same race, speakers of the same language etc., or associated with a given person, occupation, species etc.
Republic
A republic emphasizes citizen participation in governance.
In a republic, citizens often have the right to vote on major issues.
Country
The territory of a nation, especially an independent nation state or formerly independent nation; a political entity asserting ultimate authority over a geographical area; a sovereign state.
Country
A rural area, as opposed to a town or city; the countryside.
Country
Ellipsis of country music
A country song
A country singer
A country festival
Country
(mining) The rock through which a vein runs.
Country
From or in the countryside or connected with it.
Country
Of or connected to country music.
Country
Originating in India rather than being imported from Europe or elsewhere.
Country
A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship.
Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred.
I might have learned this by my last exile,that change of countries cannot change my state.
Many a famous realmAnd country, whereof here needs no account
Country
Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
As they walked, on their way into the country.
God made the covatry, and man made the town.
Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country.
Country
The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a) One's constituents. (b) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country.
All the country in a general voiceCried hate upon him.
Country
A jury, as representing the citizens of a country.
Country
The rock through which a vein runs.
Country
Pertaining to the regions remote from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country life; a country town; the country party, as opposed to city.
Country
Destitute of refinement; rude; unpolished; rustic; not urbane; as, country manners.
Country
Pertaining, or peculiar, to one's own country.
She, bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language.
Country
The territory occupied by a nation;
He returned to the land of his birth
He visited several European countries
Country
A politically organized body of people under a single government;
The state has elected a new president
African nations
Students who had come to the nation's capitol
The country's largest manufacturer
An industrialized land
Country
The people who live in a nation or country;
A statement that sums up the nation's mood
The news was announced to the nation
The whole country worshipped him
Country
An area outside of cities and towns;
His poetry celebrated the slower pace of life in the country
Country
A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography);
It was a mountainous area
Bible country
Common Curiosities
Can a country be a monarchy and not a republic?
Yes, countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom are monarchies, not republics.
Does the term country specify governance structure?
No, a country can have varied forms of governance, including republics, monarchies, dictatorships, etc.
Is the USA both a republic and a country?
Yes, the USA is a country with a republic form of governance.
Can a country change from being a monarchy to a republic or vice versa?
Yes, throughout history, several countries have transitioned between different forms of governance.
What is a country?
A country is a distinct territorial body or political entity recognized as independent.
Is every republic a country?
Yes, every republic is a country, but not every country is a republic.
Does a republic indicate a democratic system?
Typically, yes, a republic emphasizes representation and usually has democratic principles.
Can a region within a country call itself a republic?
Yes, some regions or states within countries use the term "republic" but may not be sovereign entities.
What is a republic?
A republic is a form of government where representatives are elected by the people.
What's the main difference between a republic and a country?
A republic specifies a governance form, while a country refers to a sovereign territorial entity.
Is every country member of the United Nations?
No, while many countries are UN members, some are not.
Are boundaries crucial for defining a country?
Yes, recognized territorial boundaries are essential for defining a country.
Do all republics have a president?
Not necessarily. While many republics have presidents, others might have different titles for their heads of state.
Can two countries merge to form a new country?
Historically, regions or countries have merged or separated, but such changes usually involve complex political processes.
How is governance decided in a republic?
In a republic, governance is typically decided through elections where citizens choose their representatives.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
