In discussing the evolution of what constitutes a threat to democracy, the article highlights a shift away from Donald Trump as the main concern toward scrutinizing the Constitution itself. This perspective suggests that the Constitution, an enduring framework, is now viewed as at odds with the ideals of true democracy.
The article cites James Madison's warning in Federalist 10 about the inherent dangers of direct democracy, illustrating historical skepticism towards unchaperoned democratic rule. The founders purposely designed a system to moderate the passions of the masses, emphasizing individual rights and federal balance.
When Benjamin Franklin was asked after the Constitutional Convention what form of government was established, he succinctly stated, 'A republic, if you can keep it.' This phrase underscores the distinction between a republic and a democracy, a vital consideration in contemporary political discourse.
The complexities of American democracy are revealed as the article critiques the notion that the Constitution is purely a democratic instrument. It argues that the framers created a system specifically intended to mitigate extreme democratic impulses in order to safeguard liberty.
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