What best describes a republic?

A republic is best described as a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter," derived from the Latin term "res publica." This definition highlights that a republic is not governed by a single ruler (as in a monarchy) or by authoritarian control (as in a dictatorship), but rather by elected representatives who are accountable to the citizenry. In a republic, the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, and the focus is on the common good and the rule of law rather than the whims of individual rulers. This framework encourages participation from citizens, who have the right to vote for their representatives and influence government policy.