Final answer:
Republicanism is a form of government where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf, emphasizing popular sovereignty and the protection of minority rights. Post-independence America adopted republicanism, rejecting monarchy and embracing a government that gains legitimacy from the consent of the governed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Republicanism best describes a form of government where voters hold sovereign power by electing representatives. This is in line with the government of the United States, which is considered a republic, or representative democracy. In a republic like the US, citizens do not have direct control over day-to-day governance; instead, they exercise their power through choosing representatives such as members of Congress, state legislators, and the president, who make decisions on their behalf. Republics are characterized by a lack of a hereditary ruling class, adherence to the principle of popular sovereignty, and the protection of the rights of minorities against the majority.
Characteristics of a Republic:-
No hereditary ruling class exists.
Government is based on the principle of popular sovereignty.
Officials are elected to represent and govern on behalf of the citizens.
After the American War of Independence, the colonists rejected a monarchy and adopted republicanism, a form of governance outlined by figures like James Madison, who emphasized that a republican government derives its powers from the people.