28 May 2009

Democracy vs. Republic

Americans seem to be in love with the concept of Democracy.  Everywhere you look you see folks talking about preserving our Democracy, Democracy at work, etc.  These folks might be surprised to find out that, at least for now, we live in a Republic.  What with everyone talking up Democracy, most Americans couldn't tell you what a Republic is.  They certainly couldn't tell you why the Framers of our government despised the concept of Democracy.  

For some time, I've been meaning to write an essay detailing the difference between the two and why each step toward democracy is a step toward the end for the U.S.  However, while kicking around the web, I found a couple of sites that do a much better job of this than I could ever do.  

So:


And an interesting quote from Samuel Adams:

"If the liberties of America are ever compleatly ruined, of which in my opinion there is now the utmost danger, it will in all probability be the consequence of a mistaken notion of prudence, which leads men to acquiesce in measures of the most destructive tendency for the sake of present ease. When designs are form'd to rase the very foundation of a free government, those few who are to erect their grandeur and fortunes upon the general ruin, will employ every art to sooth the devoted people into a state of indolence, inattention and security, which is forever the fore-runner of slavery-- They are alarmed at nothing so much, as attempts to awaken the people to jealousy and watchfulness; and it has been an old game played over and over again, to hold up the men who would rouse their fellow citizens and countrymen to a sense of their real danger, and spirit them to the most zealous activity in the use of all proper means for the preservation of the public liberty, as 'pretended patriots,' 'intemperate politicians,' rash, hotheaded men, Incendiaries, wretched desperadoes, who, as was said of the best of men, would turn the world upside down, or have done it already."

Please take a look at these because understanding these ideas will be important to understanding the next few essays.

Until next time, 
Be safe, be free, and be happy,
DW

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