Republicanism or Democracy: Which is better and why?

[12th Doctor]

"Democracy" as it is generically used is basically "Republicanism".  The idea that the people are represented by elected officials is the only functioning form of Democracy in the world today and, thus, is the only modern model.  If one wants to see true Democracy in action, you have to look at Athens, were this system was a miserable failure (ie Trial and Death of Socrates) and eventully imploded because people grew lazy, greedy, capricious and began to neglect thier civic duties.

[12th Doctor]

Athens, were this system was a miserable failure

Athens was a failure because they recalled Alcibiades.

If that is not simpistic, I don't know what is.  The whole failure of that time period was directly linked to the failures of direct Democracy.