Final answer:
Democracy and republic both allow for the election of leaders by the people. In both these systems, political power rests in the people's hands, who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. The United States, which can be characterized as a representative democracy or a republic, serves as a prime example.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best statement that describes a similarity between a democracy and a republic is that both allow for the election of leaders by the people. In both a democracy and a republic, political power and influence over institutions, leaders, and policies rest in the hands of the people. The citizens, however, do not govern directly in a representative democracy; instead, they elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of everyone. The United States can be described as a republic, or representative democracy, where citizens vote for representatives at different levels, including the president, members of Congress, state legislatures, governors, and mayors.
In a democracy like the United States, representatives are elected in electoral districts, and laws are passed based on majority rule – if the number of elected representatives who favor a proposed law is greater than those who oppose it, the law will be enacted. This similarity of delegating power to elected representatives is a principal characteristic in both democracy and republic.
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