Questions

I'm a bit sick of the stupid "America isn't a democracy, it's a republic" nonsense. (FWIW, Germany, France, and Italy are also republics, the UK, Denmark, and Spain are monarchies; all of them are democracies.)

Democracy:

"Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives"

"A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction."

"A state with a democratic system of government."

"Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy"."

Republic:

"A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy."

"A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate." (archaic)