The People's Thing

The word 'republic' is from the Latin phrase 'res public' and translates as 'The People's Thing'. Unlike any other form of government, republics are centered around the people. How does this square, however, with advocates of the notion that America is a 'propositional country,' based not on a people, but on an idea? Can a republic be completely decoupled from its people and remain a republic? Can 'the people's thing' exist without a people?

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