Democracy,republic...
it's both and it's neither.
The USA is an empire, ruled by the same people whether you call 'em *republicans* or *democrats*.

like every other empire, its primary goal is survival of the ruling class , the continuation of the exercise of power, and the extension of control over the whole world.

Maybe the rest of us (non-amerkins) will have something to say about THAT...at least we can struggle against it until the Empire meets the ultimate fate of every previous empire.