res publica

Res publica - the people's affairs

brand new republic, ready to run

- democracy (the people's assembly and the tribunes)
- aristocracy (the senate - approximately 300 members)
- plus monarchy (the consuls)
- not a tyranny (a mistake the Romans did not care to repeat)

Gov't.: ancient Rome/USA

- originally, the US modeled their new government on the model used by the ancient Romans
- But both have three branches of government

• executive
• legislative 
• judicial 

- and both have a legal code

3 branches (1) - Rome/US

Executive (Rome)

- two consuls
- one year terms
- each has veto power
- controls the military
- could appoint a dictator in a crisis for a six-month term

Executive (US)

- President (plus VP)
- four year terms
- can veto proposal laws
- commander - in - chief of the military

3 Branches (2)

Legislative (Rome)

- Senate: 300 People - aristocrats - members for life
- Assemblies (either Centuriate or tribal) 193 members (later 373) - members for life

Legislative (US)

- Senate: 100 senators (two from each state) - six-year terms
- House of Representatives - 435 members (55 from California; MD has 8; AK, DE, MT, ND, SD, VT, WY have 1)
- two-year terms

3 Branches (3)

Judicial (Rome)

- Praetors
- Chosen by the Centuriate Assembly
- one-year terms

Judicial (US)

- Supreme Court
- nine members
- lifetime terms
- appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate