Republican Theories

In his Republic, Greek philosopher Plato presented an ideal state, made up of a commercial class, a spirited class of administrators and soldiers, and the guardians or philosopher-kings, who make laws. Because Plato entrusted a carefully selected few with the responsibility of maintaining a harmonious state, republicanism is often associated with goals established by a small segment of the community presumed to have special insight into what defines the common good.

In his Politics, Greek philosopher Aristotle provided a concept of republicanism that prevails in most of the Western world. Aristotle categorized governments on the basis of who rules: the one, the few, or the many. He then distinguished between good and perverted forms of government, the main difference being whether rulers governed for the good of the state or in their own interests. Aristotle believed that democracies would experience instability because the poor would seek economic and social equality that would stifle individual initiative and enterprise. In contrast, the polity (good form of rule by the many) would have a middle class capable of justly buffering conflicts between the rich and the poor.

James Madison, often called the father of the United States Constitution, defined a republic in terms similar to those of Aristotle's polity. He believed republics were systems of government that permitted control by the people over those who govern. Madison emphasized the election of representatives by the people; he believed that these representatives would be less likely to sacrifice the public good than would the majority of the people.