Final answer:
In theory, in a republic, the power belongs to the people who exercise it through the election of representatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
In theory, the power in republics belongs to the people. This principle is at the heart of democratic political theory. In the United States, for example, the Constitution acknowledges that political power comes from the consent of the governed, stating 'We the People' at the beginning. The people exercise their power by electing representatives to the governing body, who then make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people. This form of government is known as a democratic presidential republic.