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Short questions regarding the American government

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1) Why is America a republic?

2) How has Western culture and Christianity contributed to American government?

3)Why are elections in the United States longer, more expensive, and more candidate-centered than in European democracies?

4) Knowing that the right to vote has been such a hard-fought entitlement, why do so few Americans participate in elections?

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Solution Summary

This is a four part solution regarding the American government. This fist one addresses why America is a republic; the second question deals with how has Western culture and Christianity contributed to American government; the third solution provides a guideline as to why elections in the United States longer, more expensive, and more candidate-centered than in European democracies; and the fourth part of the solution deals with the right to vote and why so few Americans participate in elections.

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Hello and Welcome to Brainmass! It was my plseasure to help you today and I hope I have provided you with all the information you need to complete your paper. I have answered your questions individually providing a brief summary of the concepts. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions or clarify any concerns. I am sure you will complete your assignment with ease. Good Luck!!

American History - Short Questions
I will go through your questions one by one and give you an explanation along with a summary of the concepts addressed.

Why is America a republic?
First let's look at what 'republic' means. A republic is not the same as a democracy, although many people use this term interchangeably. In a republic, the definitive foundation of power lies with a charter. It is a state in which the people maintain ultimate control over the government and most decisions of the government are made by using the established laws of the state as a reference and not by the direct control of a single person like the head of state or a dictator.

America is considered a republic because it has a political system in which the people elect representatives who in turn exercise power for them - Sovereignty resides with the people. (Note that the people have the definitive foundation of power through their vote.) America does not have a king or a queen as a head of state but rather a president and elected representatives to govern their state. America has been a republic since the adoption of the Constitution - The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government (Article IV - Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution). In practice, America has become a representative democracy also called a democratic republic based on the fact that people elect representatives to make decisions for ...

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