In a republic, who is responsible for making laws?

In a republic, the responsibility for making laws lies primarily with elected representatives chosen by the citizenry. This system is designed to ensure that the preferences and interests of the population are represented in government, as these representatives are accountable to their constituents. It reflects the democratic principle that government should derive its authority from the consent of the governed.

Elected representatives participate in legislative processes, debate, and vote on proposed laws, thereby creating a structured and organized method for law-making that contrasts with more direct forms of democracy where all citizens may vote on legislation directly. This representative model helps to balance the diverse views within a society and facilitates governance on a larger scale.

In comparison, in a scenario where the president alone makes laws, it would undermine the separation of powers and democratic accountability. Similarly, if a panel of judges were responsible for law-making, it would diminish the role of the citizenry in governance, as the judiciary is meant to interpret laws rather than create them. Finally, the idea of all citizens participating directly in law-making is characteristic of direct democracy, which is not the defining feature of a republic.