The Roman Republic was a democracy, however, the subject can be tentative because of the limitations that were set on the people. Power in the state belonged to the people through the ability to vote officials into office. This ensured that leadership was not hereditary. In this way, the people chose who they wanted in power, not the person with the right last name or the person with the most money. The Roman people also had the right to vote to pass or repeal laws. Roman citizens held the final say in passing laws. However, this came with limitations, such as, only voting on what the magistrates proposed. Even though they ultimately decided which laws came into effect, they could not create new laws on their own. Elected magistrates proposed all laws, not the people.
…show more content…
Because most of the Roman territory was far off, many Roman citizens could not afford the time or the travel to vote. Mostly it was wealthy citizens that made it to vote. Only about 2% of the citizens would vote each year. This restrained, almost all of the Roman population. Considering democracy means the power belongs to the people and most people did not vote, this made the Roman Republic a bit less democratic. In conclusion, the Roman Republic, though a democracy, had a few restraints put on the power held by the citizens that took away from its democratic
Because most of the Roman territory was far off, many Roman citizens could not afford the time or the travel to vote. Mostly it was wealthy citizens that made it to vote. Only about 2% of the citizens would vote each year. This restrained, almost all of the Roman population. Considering democracy means the power belongs to the people and most people did not vote, this made the Roman Republic a bit less democratic. In conclusion, the Roman Republic, though a democracy, had a few restraints put on the power held by the citizens that took away from its democratic