When one person can initiate war, by its definition, a republic no longer exists.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If a single person can start a war, the republic ceases to exist because war contradicts republican values.
- In plain terms
- A republic shouldn't allow one person to declare war.
- What can you take from it?
- Checks on war powers protect republican governance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What limits should a republic place on war powers?
- How does war affect democratic legitimacy?
Another view
Some republics have mechanisms for limited executive war powers.
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