Tyranny of the majority over minorities - hence they designed a constitution which ensured that there would be both checks and balances between the different branches of government which would pass laws, enforce laws and interpret laws. They also insulated each branch (and even the bicameral legislature) from this tyranny by "removing" each a degree from the passion of the people - which is where the tyranny of the majority would most likely manifest itself.
The Congress is elected directly by the people - and serve two year terms - very susceptible to the "passions of the people," and mood swings of the country. Hence they have the potential to take action based on the passion of the people. The Senate "was" elected by state legislatures (now direct election, but that is another answer as to why) - which were elected by the people, so two degrees removed from the "passion of the masses" - serving six year terms which were more secure and allowed members to be more prudent - or to be the "saucer" in which the "hot issues" would cool. The President who "was" elected by the electoral college - again removed two degrees from the passion of the people, and elected for four years and lastly - the Judiciary branch - appointed for life - and selected by the President with confirmation by the Senate - insulated from any passion and able to rule on the Constitutionality of any law as it pertained to the mutation of rights by a majority to disadvantage a minority.
Our Constitution provides limits to our democracy - some would argue that it is the minority that actually rules as it typically takes a super majority to perform certain acts - overturn a veto or propose an amendment -- in the end - it is very hard to "change" the Constitution, and that is by design.
Bad obviously, aren't you on winter break anyways?
It was a very dangerous thing.
it raped them
A state which is governed by the rule of law.
No, the founding fathers believed that democracy was "rule by the rabble". The word "democracy" does not appear in the Declaration of Indepedence or the United States Constitution. -Darin R., Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Our founding fathers tried to make our democracy fair and equal. Aristotle believed that excessive democracy would lead to mob rule. Neither an army or a business can be a democracy, as both follow the orders given by their leaders.
The Electoral College is a group of citizens who are elected and act as representatives of the states in the USA, put into place to vote for, and elect the President and Vice President. It was created in 1787. Some people wanted a representative democracy, and some people wanted a direct democracy. With the Electoral College System, it was a compromise between the two. With the Electoral College System, the people could indirectly elect the President.
cradle of democracy
No the first wave of democracy involved the founding of Athens around 500 BC.
Thomas Hooker
Massachusetts
Martin Diamond has written: 'The Electoral College and the American idea of democracy' -- subject(s): Election, Electoral college, Presidents 'Notes on the political theory of the Founding Fathers' -- subject(s): History, Political science, The Federalist 'As far as republican principles will admit' -- subject(s): History, Political science
Solon
They didn’t hate democracy. They created it.
Yes. The United States was a democracy during the time of the Articles of Confederation. The United States was considered a republic at the time because the concept of a democracy was newly developed because of the French Revolution. The Founding Father had always intended to make the United States a republic because they wanted to distance themselves from the English monarchy.