both feature executive and legislative branches
- both systems have checks and balances embedded
- the head executives can be removed from power by legislators
- the head executives have military responsibilities
- both lead executives have veto power
- the executives are charged with enforcing the laws
- the legislative bodies make laws and control the budgets
- written law codes exist in both societies
- political divisions exist in both (Rome = patricians vs. plebeians / U.S. = citizens of a more liberal persuasion vs. citizens of a more conservative persuasion)
- wealthy people are more likely to get elected
- both place the authority of the state above that of the individual
Differences between the Roman Republic and U.S. governmentRoman system did not have a separate judicial branch
- Roman consuls (2 people) served 1-year terms / U.S. presidents (1 person) serve 4-year terms
- Rome had a provision for a dictator to take over / the U.S. does not
- Roman consuls had religious duties / the U.S. president does not
- Romans continued to own slaves / Americans do not
- Roman senators served for life / American senators have 6-year terms
- Roman women were not allowed to participate in politics / American women are allowed
- Rome had rigid social classes / the U.S. has more flexible social classes