--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is called a republic, is not any…" description: "\"What is called a republic, is not any particular form of government ... it is naturally opposed to the word monarchy, which means arbitrary power.\" — T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/987/thomas-paine-267_arbitrary_what-is-called-a-republic-is-not-any-par_1828808.png" --- # What is called a republic, is not any particular form of… ![“What is called a republic, is not any particular form of government ... it is naturally opposed to the word monarchy, which means arbitrary power.” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/987/thomas-paine-267_arbitrary_what-is-called-a-republic-is-not-any-par_1828808.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/987/thomas-paine-267_arbitrary_what-is-called-a-republic-is-not-any-par_1828808.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/987/thomas-paine-267_arbitrary_what-is-called-a-republic-is-not-any-par_1828808.png) > “What is called a republic, is not any particular form of government ... it is naturally opposed to the word monarchy, which means arbitrary power.” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A republic is defined by power residing in the people, contrasting with monarchy’s arbitrary rule. **In simple terms:** Republic means people power, not a specific system. Key Takeaway Promote governance by the people. Themes government power democracy Mood thoughtful critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political reform - citizen activism - constitutional design Key Concepts social contract legitimacy authority Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent tyranny in a republic? - How does popular power differ from majority rule? A Different Perspective Monarchies can also embody popular sovereignty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Forms of government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forms-of-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Monarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monarchy/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) ## Related quotes > [It is not, perhaps, unreasonable to conclude, that a pure and perfect democracy is a thing not attainable by man, constituted as he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-fraser-tytler/it-is-not-perhaps-unreasonable-to-conclude-that-a-pure-and-perfect/) [Alexander Fraser Tytler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-fraser-tytler/) > [When I was a boy, my grandfather taught me the list of kings: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Tarquinius the Elder, Servius…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-saylor/when-i-was-a-boy-my-grandfather-taught-me-the-list-of-kings-romulus/) [Steven Saylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-saylor/) > [“We fought for equality for all, for women too. 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