Republics

Classical republics

Ancient and modern republics differ in many ways, like the use of representative assemblies (modern) in opposition to popular (ancient) assemblies to pass legislation. Ancient republics include ancient Athens and the Roman Republic. The structure and governance of these states was different from that of any modern republic, so there is debate about the extent to which classical, medieval, and modern republics form a historical continuum. J. G. A. Pocock has argued that a distinct republican tradition stretches from the classical world to the present. Other scholars disagree. Paul Rahe, for instance, argues that the classical republics had a form of government with few links to those in any modern country.