It's a democratic republic. How do people not know this?

Both, to varying degrees. It is perhaps more of a republic than a democracy though. A democracy and a republic are *almost* different words for the same thing. Not quite though, since a democratic political system is one governed by majority rule and a republic is one ultimately governed by a charter... therefore a republic is automatically less democratic than a pure democracy. Which is just one of the reasons why America is not as democratic as it thinks. That America is a republic first and foremost means that it can never be completely, and entirely, democratic. Really a democratic republic is almost an oxymoron. (It is far more complicated than I make out here, and we could go on about this clarifying the difference and how compatible the two are for hours).

The pledge of allegiance is not part of the constitution or its amendments. It didn't even come about until communist hysteria was abused in much the same way terrorism fear was abused by Bush-Cheney to get the pledge inserted into public education. . The point of being a republic is really intended as a method to bring democracy about, not as an end in itself. From the Declaration of Independence: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...." . As for the Constitution, it mentions republic once, as a by the way buried in the middle, and begins "We the People". http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

The U.S. is a REPUBLIC. Webster defines 'republic' as a state or government , specifically one headed by a president, in which the power is exercised by officials elected by the voters.

The United States is supposed to be a Republic and slowly became a Democracy. Now we are becoming Fascist.

First America is a continent. Canadians are also Americans. This country is the United States of America and a representative republic. At least it used to be. Now, it's anyones guess. We certainly aren't "We The People...." anymore since the congress has disregarded what the people of this country really want.

It's a Representative Republic, if it were a true Democracy, we'd vote for every single bill or motion that Congress has come in front of them. Such would be unimaginably complex, which is why we have representatives (Congressmen, Senators, Presidents) to "represent" us and our feelings. Now, for a lot of other issues, such as local tax and bond issues, we are more of a democracy. And our freedoms are still here, despite the Republicans best efforts to the contrary.

Good try buy that's a trick questing because were nether. We used to be a democratic republic built on christian values and socialist government (if the term existed back then) quite the opposites, and that's why it didn't last long. Now were a bureaucracy run by a democratic monarchy (the king being the FEDs) now that I think of it, I don't think there's a name for what we have ;)

its a democratic republic

It is a republic- in a true democracy all anyone would ever get done is vote!

It's a republic. If it were a democracy, we would be voting as citizens on legislation.

Please read The Constitution of The United States of America. It specifically states that the federal government guarantees the states "a republican form of government". Article IV Section 4. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A4Sec4

It is a republic.

it's supposed to be a republic. but that has now fallen.

We are a republic.

technically it's a democracy but as far as what it should be it should be a little of both

The United States of America is a Sovereign Democratic Republic. You must be aware that the US has one of the briefest constitutions among all democracies in the world. In contrast, India has the longest and most bulky constitution. For the sake of brevity the founding fathers of the USA used the word 'republic' to mean 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' - in my opinion.

I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one. Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance - - My love and my devotion. To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job. United - - That means that we have all come together. States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country. And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. For which it stands One Nation - - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided. With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others. For All - - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine. And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too? Red Skelton

The United States is a Corporatocracy.

It's a representative republic, or 'democratic republic'. A pure democracy would have no reps, just people voting on everything. CHAOS. A pure republic would have a ruling body CHOSEN, not elected, similar to some of Rome's days. We are the best combination of the two, pure genius from our founding fathers. Unfortunately, even pure genius fails to account for human depravity and self-aggrandizement.

A quote that is erroneously attributed to Jefferson goes: "A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where 51% of the people may take away the rights of the other 49%." While this isn't a direct quote of his, it does sum up his attitude towards open democracy. This is why the US government is a Constitutional Federal Republic. We have a Constitution that sets up the rules for the government to follow, including a Federal-State system of power and system for elections in two branches of government, and appointment in the other. Many people don't realize that in actuality, you don't vote for the president directly. Each state gets a certain number of electoral votes that the executive branch can use however they see fit. The intention was that state governors would actually elect the president, not the people. Currently, each state picks an elector for each vote they have. Usually they already have a pool of people that they know will vote for one or the other candidates, and they appoint them in accordance with how their state elections go. Also, there is no Federal law that prohibits an appointed elector from placing a vote for any candidate they want. This has happened in the past and some states have made their own laws regarding this. I honestly think that the people should not be involved with the election of the president and it should be left up to the governors, as it's obvious that the American people suck at picking presidents most of the time.