Republic vs. Sovereign — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
A republic is a political system where power resides with citizens entitled to vote, while sovereign refers to supreme authority, often in the context of a state or monarch.
Difference Between Republic and Sovereign
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter", with officials elected by the people to represent their interests. Sovereign, however, typically describes a person or body possessing supreme authority, often a monarch or a sovereign state.
In a republic, no positions of authority are inherited, which emphasizes democracy and the rule of law. On the other hand, a sovereign can be a hereditary position or a state with absolute independence, reflecting a hierarchical or autonomous structure.
The concept of a republic often involves checks and balances to ensure no single entity holds too much power. Whereas a sovereign state exercises full control over its internal and external affairs without any external interference.
Many modern states are both republics and sovereign; the term "republic" focuses on the internal governance structure, while "sovereign" relates to their external status and independence.
While the U.S. is an example of a republic with a democratic system where officials are elected, the United Kingdom, though it has a sovereign monarch, also functions as a sovereign state with defined territorial integrity and national governance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A state where power rests in elected individuals
Supreme power or authority
Example
United States of America
Queen Elizabeth II (as a monarch)
Governance
Democratic, no hereditary positions
Can be hereditary or autonomous authority
Authority Structure
Checks and balances
Absolute control, no external interference
Focus
Internal political structure
External autonomy and internal authority
Compare with Definitions
Republic
A form of government where the state is ruled by representatives elected by its citizens.
The Republic of France holds elections every five years to choose its president.
Sovereign
A supreme ruler, especially a monarch.
The sovereign of the British empire holds ceremonial duties.
Republic
A state in which supreme power lies with the people or their elected representatives.
Germany is known as a federal republic because of its federative structure.
Sovereign
A quality of having independent authority over a geographic area.
Japan is a sovereign nation with its own laws and government.
Republic
A term used historically to denote commonwealths that are not monarchies.
The Dutch Republic was established in the 16th century.
Sovereign
Having ultimate authority or independence in governance.
Sovereign wealth funds manage the state-owned assets of the respective countries.
Republic
A political system that rejects monarchy and bases its governance on elected officials.
India became a republic in 1950, after adopting its constitution.
Sovereign
Used in finance, sovereign bonds are issued by national governments.
Sovereign bonds in the U.S. are considered low-risk investments.
Republic
Any state that claims itself as a republic but practices different governance forms.
The People's Republic of China, despite its name, is governed by a single party.
Sovereign
Relating to a supreme ruler's powers or the status of being above all others.
Sovereign decisions in a monarchy are not subject to appeal.
Republic
A republic (Latin: res publica, meaning "public affair") is a form of government in which "power is held by the people and their elected representatives". In republics, the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers.
Sovereign
Sovereign is a title which can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French souverain, which is ultimately derived from the Latin word superānus, meaning "above".
Republic
A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Sovereign
A supreme ruler, especially a monarch
The Emperor became the first Japanese sovereign to visit Britain
Republic
A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president.
Sovereign
A former British gold coin worth one pound sterling, now only minted for commemorative purposes.
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Sovereign
Possessing supreme or ultimate power
In modern democracies the people's will is in theory sovereign
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.
Sovereign
Very good or effective
A sovereign remedy for all ills
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Sovereign
A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch.
Republic
Often Republic A specific republican government of a nation
The Fourth Republic of France.
Sovereign
A national governing council or committee.
Republic
An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation.
Sovereign
A nation that governs territory outside its borders.
Republic
A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field
The republic of letters.
Sovereign
A gold coin formerly used in Great Britain.
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.
Sovereign
Self-governing; independent
A sovereign state.
Republic
(archaic) A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.
Sovereign
Having supreme rank or power
A sovereign prince.
Republic
One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.
The Republic of Udmurtia is west of the Permian Oblast.
Sovereign
Paramount; supreme
Her sovereign virtue is compassion.
Republic
Common weal.
Sovereign
Of superlative strength or efficacy
A sovereign remedy.
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.
Sovereign
Unmitigated
Sovereign contempt.
Republic
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Sovereign
Exercising power of rule.
Sovereign nation
Republic
A form of government whose head of state is not a monarch;
The head of state in a republic is usually a president
Sovereign
Exceptional in quality.
Her voice was her sovereign talent.
Sovereign
Extremely potent or effective (of a medicine, remedy etc.).
Sovereign
Having supreme, ultimate power.
Gentlemen, may I introduce Her Royal Highness, the Sovereign and Most Imperial Majesty, Empress Elizabeth of Vicron.
Sovereign
Princely; royal.
Sovereign
Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.
Sovereign
A monarch; the ruler of a country.
Sovereign
One who is not a subject to a ruler or nation.
Sovereign
A gold coin of the United Kingdom, with a nominal value of one pound sterling but in practice used as a bullion coin.
Sovereign
A former Australian gold coin, minted from 1855–1931, of one pound value.
Sovereign
A very large champagne bottle with the capacity of about 25 liters, equivalent to 3 standard bottles.
Sovereign
Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalini, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.
Sovereign
A large, garish ring; a sovereign ring.
Sovereign
(transitive) To rule over as a sovereign.
Sovereign
Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief; as, our sovereign prince.
Sovereign
Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.
Sovereign
Princely; royal.
At Babylon was his sovereign see.
Sovereign
Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.
We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good.
Sovereign
Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling; as, a sovereign remedy.
Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the regulation of the lives and actions of men.
Sovereign
The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor.
No question is to be made but that the bed of the Mississippi belongs to the sovereign, that is, to the nation.
Sovereign
A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at one pound sterling, or about $4.86.
Sovereign
Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalidi, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.
Sovereign
A nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
Sovereign
Of political bodies;
An autonomous judiciary
A sovereign state
Sovereign
Greatest in status or authority or power;
A supreme tribunal
Common Curiosities
What defines a republic?
A republic is defined by its system of governance where public officials are elected by the citizens.
What are the symbols of sovereignty?
Symbols of sovereignty include a crown, scepter, or national emblems that represent authority and statehood.
What does it mean to be sovereign?
To be sovereign means to have ultimate authority, either as an autonomous state or a ruler.
How does a republic differ from a monarchy?
A republic has elected representatives and does not include hereditary leadership, unlike a monarchy.
Are all republics democratic?
While most republics are democratic, allowing citizens to elect their leaders, some republics may have authoritarian elements where elections are not free or fair, and political power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
Can a sovereign be a non-monarchical entity?
Yes, sovereignty can refer to the ultimate authority of any state, not just a monarchy. For example, sovereign states can be republics, constitutional monarchies, or other forms of government where sovereignty rests with the state itself.
How does governance in a republic ensure checks and balances?
In a republic, governance is structured around checks and balances through the separation of powers among different branches of government, such as the legislative, executive, and judiciary, to prevent any one branch from having too much power.
What role does sovereignty play in international relations?
Sovereignty is crucial in international relations as it defines a state's independence and its right to govern itself without external interference, which is fundamental for entering treaties and engaging in diplomacy.
Can a country be both a republic and sovereign?
Yes, many countries like the United States are both republics and sovereign states.
What historical examples show the evolution from monarchies to republics?
Historical examples include France, which transitioned from a monarchy to a republic after the French Revolution, and Russia, which became a republic after the abdication of the Tsar during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
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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
Maham Liaqat
