• FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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        14 hours ago

        I don’t believe Syria ever styled itself “Democratic”. But the Syrian Republic was certainly a republic.

        For that matter, so was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

        A republic is simply a nation with no monarch. If you don’t believe me ask any Canadian, as they are constantly debating whether to officially leave the British crown and become a republic.

        • ghurab@lemmy.world
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          6 hours ago

          Not as a title, but if i recall correctly, the first first article of the old constitution states that the Syrian Arab Republic is a Democracy. Also for what it’s worth, the Baath party was also officially “socialist”.

          The lack of a monarchy isn’t enough to qualify as a republic, the people need to also hold some sort of power.

        • Danquebec@sh.itjust.works
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          12 hours ago

          Yea, the name is originally in latin res publica, meaning “public matter”. In opposition to a kingdom that is the private domain of a single person.