作者：于越
在现代政治语境中，“共和国”本应意味着权力来自人民，政府由人民授权，并对人民负责。然而，当一个国家以“共和国”为名，却缺乏真正的选举制度、言论自由与信息透明时，这一称谓便失去了应有的内涵，沦为形式上的装饰。
一个真正的共和国，建立在公民的基本权利之上。人民拥有选票，能够自由表达意见，能够获取真实的信息，并对公共事务进行监督。这些不仅是制度设计的技术问题，更是一个国家是否尊重人、是否承认人之尊严的根本标志。如果人民没有选择权，没有知情权，也没有表达权，那么所谓“代表人民”的说法就缺乏正当性基础。
历史反复证明，依靠控制信息与塑造单一叙事来维持的治理模式，或许可以在短期内稳定局面，但难以获得持久的认同。因为真相不会永远被遮蔽，人们对自由、公正与尊严的追求也不会消失。信息越封闭，谎言越容易滋生；而谎言一旦累积，信任就会逐渐瓦解。当信任不复存在，任何宏大的叙事都将变得空洞。
更重要的是，一个健康的社会并不惧怕不同声音。相反，多元意见的存在恰恰是社会活力的体现。允许批评、鼓励讨论、保障表达，不会削弱国家，反而会增强制度的韧性。
因为只有在公开与透明中，错误才能被纠正，政策才能不断完善，权力才不会失去边界。
我们所呼吁的，并不是对秩序的破坏，而是对规则的重建；不是对社会的否定，而是对公正的追求。权利从来不是某种可以被施舍的恩惠，而是每一个人作为公民所应当享有的基本保障。当这些权利被忽视或剥夺时，提出质疑与要求改变，本身就是一种责任。
“蒙混一时，不能蒙混一世。”这不仅是一句警示，更是一种历史规律。任何脱离人民、缺乏监督、依赖单向叙事的权力结构，都将面临合法性的挑战。而真正稳固的国家，必然建立在人民的信任之上，而信任只能来源于真实、开放与参与。
因此，推动一个更加公开、公正、以人民为本的制度，不仅是权利的回归，更是社会长远发展的必由之路。属于人民的权利，不应被掩盖，也不应被延迟，而应当在制度中得到切实体现，在现实中得到真正保障。
编辑：Gloria Wang 校对：周敏 翻译：戈冰
Why Has the Republic Lost the People?
Author: Yu Yue
Abstract: This article explores the core implications of the concept of the “republic” in modern politics, arguing that a republican system should be founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, free elections, freedom of speech, and transparency. The author contends that if citizens lack the right to choose, the right to information, and the right to express themselves, the legitimacy of a government’s claim to represent the people will be called into question. The article further emphasizes that transparency, diverse opinions, and public oversight are essential for maintaining social trust and institutional vitality; only by safeguarding citizens’ rights and accommodating differing viewpoints can we promote policy improvements, prevent power imbalances, and drive long-term social development.
In the modern political context, the term “republic” should signify that power derives from the people, that the government is authorized by the people, and that it is accountable to the people. However, when a nation bears the name “republic” yet lacks a genuine electoral system, freedom of speech, and transparency of information, this designation loses its inherent meaning and becomes nothing more than a superficial adornment.
A true republic is founded upon the fundamental rights of its citizens. The people possess the right to vote, the freedom to express their views, access to accurate information, and the ability to oversee public affairs. These are not merely technical matters of institutional design; they are fundamental markers of whether a nation respects its people and acknowledges human dignity. If the people lack the right to choose, the right to know, and the right to speak, then the claim of “representing the people” lacks a legitimate foundation.
History has repeatedly shown that governance models maintained through information control and the imposition of a single narrative may stabilize the situation in the short term, but they struggle to gain lasting acceptance. This is because the truth cannot be concealed forever, nor will people’s pursuit of freedom, justice, and dignity ever fade. The more information is suppressed, the more easily lies proliferate; and once lies accumulate, trust gradually erodes. When trust ceases to exist, any grand narrative becomes hollow.
More importantly, a healthy society does not fear dissenting voices. On the contrary, the existence of diverse opinions is precisely a manifestation of social vitality. Allowing criticism, encouraging discussion, and safeguarding freedom of expression will not weaken the nation; rather, it will strengthen the resilience of our institutions.
For it is only through openness and transparency that mistakes can be corrected, policies can be continuously improved, and power can be kept within bounds.
What we are calling for is not the disruption of order, but the reconstruction of rules; not the rejection of society, but the pursuit of justice. Rights have never been a favor to be bestowed, but rather the fundamental safeguards that every citizen is entitled to. When these rights are ignored or denied, raising questions and demanding change is itself a responsibility.
“You can deceive people for a time, but not forever.” This is not merely a warning; it is a historical law. Any power structure that is detached from the people, lacks oversight, and relies on a one-sided narrative will face challenges to its legitimacy. A truly stable nation must be built upon the trust of the people, and trust can only stem from truth, openness, and participation.
Therefore, advancing a system that is more open, fair, and people-centered is not only a restoration of rights but also the inevitable path for society’s long-term development. The rights that belong to the people should not be obscured or delayed; rather, they must be tangibly embodied in the system and genuinely safeguarded in reality.
Editor: Gloria Wang Proofreader: Zhou Min Translator: Ge Bing
