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Meaning & use

republicanism

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/rɪˈpʌb.lɪ.kən.ɪ.zəm/
US/rɪˈpʌb.lə.kən.ɪ.zəm/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The belief that a country should be governed by elected representatives and not a king or queen.

    Grammar: Does not take an article in general use.

    Patterns

    • support republicanism

    Republicanism grew in the colonies before independence.

    Many Australians support republicanism and want a president.

    Her essay traced the history of republicanism in Europe.

  2. noununcountableAmerican

    The political ideas of a party called Republican, as in the United States.

    Grammar: Capitalize when naming the party's ideas.

    Patterns

    • Republicanism in the South

    Modern Republicanism emphasizes lower taxes and smaller government.

    Republicanism shifted in the twentieth century.

    Voters in the region embraced Republicanism.

  3. noununcountabletechnical

    In political philosophy, the idea that citizens share a duty to protect public good and avoid domination.

    Grammar: Used in political theory.

    Patterns

    • civic republicanism

    Civic republicanism stresses participation in public life.

    The book compares liberalism with republicanism.

    Scholars link freedom with republicanism.

Common combinations

civic republicanism
Civic republicanism values duty to the public good.
support republicanism
Many in the group support republicanism.
Irish republicanism
Irish republicanism has a long history.
early republicanism
Early republicanism spread through revolution.
the rise of republicanism
The rise of republicanism ended royal rule.

Synonyms and how they differ

anti-monarchism
Anti-monarchism only opposes kings and queens, while republicanism also describes the system that replaces them.
democracy
Democracy is rule by the people in general, whereas republicanism stresses elected representatives and no monarch.

Opposites

monarchismroyalism

Word family

republic noun
a country governed by elected representatives
republican adjective
relating to a republic
republican noun
a supporter of a republic
republicanize verb
to make republican in form

Commonly confused: republicanism or Republican?

republicanism vs Republican

Republican with a capital R names a U.S. political party, while republicanism is a general belief in a republic.

Practice

Supporters of ___ argue that the country should replace its monarch with an elected president.

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