SNIP
>The definition I actually work from is borrowed from Karl Popper: democracy is a form of government that may change itself non-violently. Under this defintion, which I think is pretty good, a republic can be seen as a type of democracy.
I disagree. That is a very loose definition and could also hold true for an autocracy. As long as the leader chooses his successor personally and passes control to his successor, then it is a government that changed itself nonviolently also.
I also do not believe that is an 'accepted' definition for a democracy. A more accurate definition should be created based on historical events and democratic principles derived over the years.
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"When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser." - Socrates
Vita contingit, Vive cum eo. (Life Happens, Live With it.)
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." -- author unknown
"De omnibus dubitandum"