Ancient Roman Republic and Modern Republican State

The similarities & differences between the Res Publica Romana and modern republics are drawn in a comparative analysis that investigates how the premise of free & equal citizenry was, & continues to be, embodied in democratic & undemocratic practices in both. Unlike Sparta or Athens, the political order of the Rome republic was not legislated by farsighted legislators but derived from custom & precedence of political life. The political arrangement of present-day republics is based on law, whereas the Roman republic was based on the notion of fides 'faith,' the trust relationship established between the patron & client, or between a political leader/representative & citizenry/constituency. The politics of the Roman republic are characterized as personal & informal & compared with the impersonal & formal character of modern republics. It is observed, however, that informal contacts are also an important part of the formal procedures of consensus building & conflict resolution in modern democracies. The parallels between fides & informal interactions are pointed out, concluding that although the modern republican state must be based on formal law to protect citizens' freedoms, it cannot outlaw or delegitimize informal contacts or counsels between politicians or between political representatives & their constituency. 33 References. Z. Dubiel