Malcolm Rivera
The United States can be defined as a 'federal constitutional representative democracy' or a federal constitutional republic. The US Constitution does not use the term democracy, but rather the Founders preferred the term republic as they feared democratic rule and associated it with disorder and disruption. However, scholars such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Noah Webster have used the term democracy in reference to the US system of government, which can be understood as a form of representative democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and exercise political power on their behalf. This form of democracy is indirect and differs from the direct democracy practiced by the ancient Greeks, where citizens met to discuss and decide on policy through majority rule.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Democracy | Representative Democracy |
| Rule of Law | Bound by the Constitution and the broader rule of law |
| Federal System | Power shared between national, regional, and local governments |
| Election of Representatives | Citizens elect officials who are empowered to make decisions for the public |
| Civic Engagement | Identifying civic beliefs, duties, and values to influence government |
| Judicial Independence | A powerful and independent judiciary |
| Free Press | A diverse and free private press |
| Speech Protection | A legal tradition that protects free speech |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution and democracy
The US Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in use, and it forms the basis of the country's democracy. The United States is a democracy because the people hold the ultimate political power, but it is not a "direct democracy". Instead, it is a ""representative democracy" or "republic", where citizens elect representatives to exert political power on their behalf.
The US Constitution does not use the term "democracy" anywhere in the document. This is because the Founding Fathers of the United States actually feared direct democratic rule, believing it would lead to "instability, injustice, and confusion". James Madison, for example, expressed this view in Federalist #10. In the 18th century, rule by the people was thought to lead to disorder and disruption, and was considered inferior to the monarchies of Europe. The Founders preferred the term "republic", which they believed better described a system where the interests of the people were represented by more knowledgeable or wealthier citizens.
Despite this, the US is still a democracy, as the people hold the ultimate political power through their ability to vote in elections for their representatives. This is in contrast to ancient democracies, such as that of Athens, where citizens met to discuss all policy and then made decisions by majority rule. This direct form of democracy is still practiced in New England town meetings, but it is not feasible on a national scale for a large, diverse population spread over a wide geographical area.
The US Constitution and its institutions play a key role in protecting American democracy and the rule of law. The US court system, for example, has exceptional formal power to check a president's agenda and strike down unconstitutional acts. This power is decentralised across hundreds of lower-court federal judges with lifetime tenure, making it harder for aspiring autocrats to capture the courts and remove judicial constraints. Additionally, the US Constitution forms the basis of a federal system of government, where power is shared between a national government and regional and local governments. This federal system is another feature that helps protect American democracy.
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The US as a federal constitutional republic
The US Constitution, written over 200 years ago, does not mention the word "democracy". The founding fathers, influenced by the belief that rule by the people would lead to disorder and disruption, preferred the term "republic". They implemented a system of indirect or "representative" democracy, where representatives chosen by the people would make decisions on their behalf. This was to ensure that the interests of the people were represented by more knowledgeable or wealthier citizens who were responsible to those that elected them.
The US can be considered a federal constitutional republic, with power divided between the national government and state governments. The US Constitution is a living document that has been amended over time to become more democratic. For example, originally, senators were chosen by their respective state legislatures, but now they are popularly elected.
The US also displays several exceptional traits that protect its democracy, such as a robust network of advocacy groups, an independent judiciary, a constitutional system that makes it difficult for executives to entrench their power, a free press, and a federal system of government.
While the US is a representative democracy, it is not a direct democracy. The founding fathers warned against the dangers of direct democracy, and the US Constitution allows partisan minorities to routinely thwart majorities. However, elements of direct democracy exist at the state and local levels, where citizens can use ballot initiatives and referendums to directly enact, change, or repeal laws.
In conclusion, the US is a federal constitutional republic with a representative democracy. The US Constitution, while not initially designed to be democratic, has evolved over time to become more democratic, and the country now displays several traits that protect its democratic system.
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The US as a representative democracy
The US Constitution, drafted over 250 years ago, does not mention the word "democracy". The founding fathers, influenced by the likes of James Madison, held a negative view of democratic rule, associating it with "instability, injustice, and confusion". They preferred the term "republic", a system where the interests of the people were represented by more knowledgeable or wealthier citizens.
However, the US has evolved into a representative democracy, where citizens vote for representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This form of democracy addresses the impracticality of direct democracy in a large, diverse population. The US is also a federal constitutional democracy, with a federal system of government that grants power to the states or the people for matters not explicitly delegated to the federal government.
The US Constitution has been amended over time to become more democratic, with the addition of the Bill of Rights, which includes protections for free speech, press, assembly, exercise of religion, and the right to bear arms, among others. The US also displays several exceptional traits that protect its democracy, including a robust network of advocacy groups, an independent judiciary, a free press, and a commitment to free speech.
Despite these strengths, there are concerns about the undemocratic nature of the separation of powers, which can hinder accountability, and the influence of money and special interests in the political system. The US was downgraded from a "full democracy" to a "flawed democracy" in 2016 due to declining public trust in the government.
In conclusion, while the US Constitution did not initially embrace democracy, the US has become a representative democracy with unique features that both strengthen and challenge its democratic ideals.
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The US as a republic
The US Constitution, also known as the supreme law of the land, does not mention the word "democracy". This is because the Founding Fathers of the United States were wary of democratic rule, believing it to be a cause of instability, injustice, and confusion. James Madison, for instance, believed that democracies were "incompatible with the rights of property". Instead, the US Constitution established a federal democratic republic, where the people hold the ultimate political power and the government's power is derived from the people.
In the US system of representative democracy, citizens vote in elections to choose their representatives, who then make decisions on their behalf. This form of democracy was preferred by the Founding Fathers as it allowed the interests of the people to be represented by more knowledgeable or wealthier citizens who were responsible to those that elected them. This system also ensured that the representative body remained a manageable size for governing.
The US Constitution is considered a "living" document, as it can be amended to allow for changes in the government. It is organized into three parts: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments. The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government, which is to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty". The seven Articles establish the structure of the government and how the Constitution can be changed. The Amendments list changes to the Constitution, with the first 10 being known as the Bill of Rights, which includes protections for freedom of speech, press, assembly, exercise of religion, and the right to bear arms, among others.
While the US is a democracy in the sense that the people hold the ultimate political power, it is also a republic because the elected representatives exercise political power. The terms democracy and republic are not mutually exclusive, and the US can be accurately defined as both. However, it is important to note that the US has been described as a "flawed democracy" due to the declining trust of the American public in its government.
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Democracy and the rule of law
The United States is a democracy, as the people hold the ultimate political power. It is a representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them. This is in contrast to direct democracy, where citizens meet to discuss and decide on policy, as practised in ancient Greece and modern-day New England town meetings. The US is also a federal system, with power shared between national, regional, and local governments.
The US Constitution, which does not use the term "democracy", establishes a constitutional democracy, where the power of the people and their representatives is bound by the Constitution and the broader rule of law. This is a living activity, requiring citizens to actively participate in their communities and influence their government. The rule of law is a basic principle that shapes the American government, and it is linked to democracy.
The US court system plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and checking the power of the executive branch. Lower-court federal judges have lifetime tenure and the power to invalidate executive actions nationwide, providing a robust check on presidential power. This differs from other countries, where judicial review is often centralised in a single constitutional court, making it more vulnerable to capture by aspiring autocrats.
The US Constitution, along with private organisations and public institutions, provides a strong foundation for democracy and the rule of law. The country also benefits from a robust network of advocacy groups, a free press, and a speech-protective legal tradition, which further protect its democratic ideals. However, it is important to acknowledge that the US, like any democracy, faces threats to its democratic principles and must remain vigilant in upholding the rule of law.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution wanted a representative democracy, also referred to as a republic. In this system, representatives are elected by the people to make decisions on their behalf.
A representative democracy is a system of government where citizens vote for representatives to exercise political power on their behalf. The United States Constitution does not use the term "democracy", and the founding fathers preferred the term "republic".
The founding fathers, such as James Madison, believed that direct democracies led to "instability, injustice, and confusion". They were concerned that the majority, which at the time consisted of "those without property and debtors", would infringe on the "rights of property".
