Characteristics

1) The People have the power. The first 3 words in the US Constitution are "We the People" because you and I hold the power in our country. No kings, no dictators - We the People.

2) An educated population chooses its leaders. Thomas Jefferson helped create public education in the United States. He believed that the only way that we could keep a republic working was if the voters were educated enough to make wise choices. 

3) Elected Representatives. 'Democracy' means voting, 'Republic' means voting for representatives. We the People vote on who should make decisions for us. 

4) Rule of Law. Nobody, not even Kings or presidents, can behave without rules. Nobody has unlimted power over We the People.