[tedunangst]

Wouldn't a more complete explanation mention constitution or code of laws or some such as well? Maybe some ex post Latin?

[dragonwriter]

> Wouldn't a more complete explanation mention constitution or code of laws or some such as well?

Constitutions and codes of laws in a republic are intermediate tools to the effect discussed.

> Maybe some ex post Latin?

You mean, more than “republic” is ex post Latin?