A republican form of government is a type of government in which political power rests with the public and their representatives, in contrast to a monarchy. In a republic, representation may or may not be freely elected by the general citizenry, and in many historical republics, representation has been based on personal status and the role of elections has been limited. However, modern republics are founded on the idea that sovereignty rests with the people, though who is included and excluded from the category of the people has varied across history. The power of government is held by the people, who give power to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interests. Representatives are responsible for helping all the people in the country, not just a few people. The United States Constitution guarantees to every state in the Union a republican form of government. A republican government is one in which the people govern through elections, and the elective mode of obtaining rulers is the characteristic policy of republican government.