Similarities:
- Representative Democracy: Both the Roman Republic and the United States have systems where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Checks and Balances: Both governments have separate branches (like legislative, executive, and judicial) intended to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
- Rule of Law: In both cases, laws are established to govern society, and leaders are expected to follow them.
Differences:
- Voting Rights: In the Roman Republic, only free male citizens could vote, while in the U.S., all citizens over the age of 18, regardless of gender or social status, have the right to vote.
- Structure of the Legislature: The Roman Republic had a Senate made up of aristocrats and various popular assemblies, while the U.S. has a bicameral Congress with a House of Representatives and a Senate.
- Duration of Office: Roman elected officials, like consuls, typically held power for a limited term, while U.S. officials, such as senators and presidents, serve fixed terms defined by the Constitution.