What best describes a difference between a democracy and a republic?

A democracy primarily emphasizes direct participation of the populace in decision-making, often through majority rule, while a republic is characterized by a system of governance that includes elected representatives and an emphasis on protecting individual rights and minority interests. In a republic, the rule of law is paramount, and the government operates under a constitution that limits governmental power. Thus, while all republics can be considered democracies, not all democracies function as republics.