The Founding Fathers did not seek democratic form partially due to a fear of democracy. It was their belief that "democracy, unchecked rule by the masses, is sure to bring arbitrary redistribution of property, destroying the very essence of liberty."3 Jefferson especially feared the label of "democrat," and it can be seen in American books of the time that "democrat" was a "swear-word, by which persons were designated against their will, usually falsely, like persons falsely called communists today."4 Ideas of democracy are most like to occur among the "oppressed and discontented, disinherited aristocracy, and the rising middle class."5 Democracy does not appeal to a privileged class whose privileges are ever increasing.6
On the subject of power, Adams stated that it "naturally grows...because human passion are insatiable. But that power alone can grow which already is too great; that which is unchecked; that which has no equal power to control it."7 Without a government of the people yet...
No comments:
Post a Comment