Thread by @Chandlej

Time for a short #rant about terminology.

Dear #conservatives, STOP arguing that "the U.S. is a republic, not a democracy." It is semantically, historically, and pedagogically incorrect and, therefore, undermines any argument you're trying to make. 1/

For at least the past century or more a republic has been considered a form of democracy. Little more needs to be understood (but, of course, I will over-explain).
2/

Recalling the Founders and their references to "democracy" does not prove your point. As democracy has spread around the world since then, our understanding and application of the term has changed. Keep up.
3/

The distinction goes deeper than semantics. Conservatives claim "democracy" only applies to a system where all rules are made by majority vote, meaning every decision is submitted to all voters. Not only is this logistically impossible even today, it's a bit silly.
4/

They claim that, in contrast, a republic is a government formed of elected representatives rather than direct voting. While this is broadly correct, they can never explain how the election of these reps is not itself "democracy." 🤷‍♂️
5/

Where the authority of the government comes from the consent of the governed, by means of voting, the government is considered a "democracy," irrespective of the exact structure of the government. All modern democracies are republics.
6/

But, there's more. These "republicans" fail to recognize what they are saying when they insist on this distinction. A republic that is somehow not a democracy is an oligarchy, a government formed from a small group of the powerful and privileged.
7/

So, by making this distinction, they are expressing a preference for being ruled by their "betters." This is antithetical to the individual liberty premise of conservative thought.
8/

Accordingly, it suggests a desire to insulate elected reps from the influence of voters, an idea equally antithetical to conservatism. I'm certain this is not their intent as it creates a point of apparent hypocrisy that is easily avoided.
9/

"The U.S. is a republic not a democracy" is not a winning argument. In fact, it's a signal that non-conservatives should not take one seriously. Ignore the talking heads who tell you otherwise.

Thanks for attending my TED talk.

10/10
#rantover