First of all, one first needs to establish whether America is a Republic or a democracy before getting into the pillar of democracy discussion. We often hear the United States referred to as a “democracy.” However, did you know that the founding fathers often referred to democracy as “mobocracy?” As students of history, the Founders saw democracy as a system of government that eventually collapses upon itself. That is why they created the United States as the Constitutional Republic – a system far more stable than a democracy.
Of course, we have all heard the common talking point from the left that conservatives are destroying democracy. The response to this claim is the same time and time again: “We’re not a democracy, we’re a constitutional republic!”
Thomas Jefferson saw profound issues with democracy. Jefferson said, “The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.” Jefferson recognized the secret war that occurs under a democracy, a war for power and control. The secret war is fought in many political systems. There is a reason Plato said, “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy.”
John Adams saw the harm of democracy when he said, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.”
Alexander Hamilton stated, “Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.” Hamilton recognized the first of three harms of a real democracy. Democracy excludes the minority’s rights. Hamilton rightly saw that in a democracy, the majority have the right to take away the rights of the minority simply by being the majority. Sound familiar?
The Founders knew of this secret war well and set out to erase it from America. They achieved this by the separation of powers. The filibuster guarantees that the party that is not in power still has a say in policy. Every aspect of our republic has been carefully crafted so that the minority and their rights will not be stripped away at the behest of the majority.
Democracy never lasts long before someone new becomes appointed to rule over the masses. For this reason, the Founders formed our republic in a way that the people are both heard and represented. Yes, a democracy and a constitutional republic are very different, and those differences have a profound impact.
Lengthy answer yes but it's something that needs to be said and something that those living in America need to hear, read, and realize.
