one purposeof the limitations imposed byconstitutional government is to checkpower of majority justify if this

Question

system is suppost to be democratic

Answer 1

BLAH BLAH BLAH BULLCRAP

Answer 2

The problem is that you misunderstand our system due to poor education and a general twisting of words in society. Our system never has been and is not supposed to be democratic. Our system is a constitutional republic and there is a difference.

In a democracy, all things are decided by straight majority vote. This means that there is no central government with power to pass laws and all laws are passed by elections by the people. Think of town hall meetings as shown in old movies as how a democracy works. This is obviously feasible for a very small group but could never work for a nation the size of the US.

The first modification to a democracy is the switch to a democratically based republic. In this form of government, the people elect representatives to vote for them. Each person gets one vote and the majority in that area elects a representative. He votes in the legislative body which is also by a straight majority.

The problem with these types of governments is that there is no limit on the majority and what they vote is law. Consider how a democracy could vote that left handed people are not allowed to own property because it is a sign of the devil. Would that be fair to the lefties? Obviously not, but it would be legal in a democracy.

In a constitutional republic, which we have, there is a governing document or agreement that places strict limits on the power of the majority. Our founding fathers wer very intelligent in the design of the government. They placed a strict set of checks and balances in the system. For example, while we elect representatives based on true democratic principles (so each of us is theoretically represented in Congress), we elect senators based solely on geographic principles (2 per state) so that the smallest state has the same power as the largest in that body. Then we allow one man the power to overrule (or veto) any law for any reason, including his own belief that it is wrong. To stop the president from being too powerful, we gave the Congress a way to override the veto if enough disagreed, but we also say the president cannot initiate any law. Someone in Congress must first introduce the bill.

The whole justification of any system like ours is to prevent any one group from treating any other group improperly and violating the rights of the smaller group. It has not always worked out the way it should, but we have made more progress towards that noble goal each year. Sometimes, it seems like we slip backwards a little, at least to me, but then we will get going on it again.

If our country survives and wises up just a little, we could become the best place ever to live and would remain so forever. Well, as long as you like freedom and responsibility you would love it. If you like telling other people what to do and think, you would hate our system of government.

Come to think of it, isn't that the problem we have now? Some people around the world and in the US like to tell the rest of us what we are supposed to believe, and the rest of us keep telling them where to put there idea and what to do with it.

Answer 3

Correct. The purpose of most of the restrictions in the Constitution, especially in the Bill of Rights, is to limit what government can do.

And under our system, what government can do is determined by the majority. That's what democracy is -- might-makes-right majority rule.

But in a system where everyone is entitled to the pursuit of life, liberty and (ideally) happiness, the majority should not be allowed to force the minority to conform, especially in personal areas such as religious belief or private relationships or individual choice.

So, the Constitution limits the reach of the majority so that those in power do not abuse that power by oppressing the minority. That ensures the minority always has a say in what happens, which is the essence of a free democracy.

Answer 4

Our Constitution has a system of checks and balances. The legislative branch (Congress) creates laws, yet those laws must abide by the constitutional rights garaunteed to citizens, this is where the supreme court comes in. Of course the executive branch enforces the laws so all three branches are needed to maintain the government. The constitution was not written to check the power of the party in power, it was written like it is so that if one party controls both the white house and congress or even just one, they cant have absolute power over the nation. All the branches are equal and no 2 are greater than one. One fundament of democracy is Faith in Majority rule and Minority Rights. Which means that the majority will rule this country, but they will not oppress the minority. The minority will still have a voice in government, but they will not run it.

Answer 5

The balance established those men who wrote the constitution is such that all three branches of government balance the others.

The executive branch is charged with the day to day management/running the "business" of government.

The legislative branch is meant to provide the rules and funds for the government and to ensure the executive doesn't spend what it doesn't have..

The judicial was established to maintain the "rule of law" by the two branches.

We are a republic, not a "democracy" per se...as we select representatives to choose our laws, and do not vote for them directly.

Answer 6

Democracy only works if everyone is informed & smart enough to know what's going on. The U.S. is a republic because the Founding Fathers were afraid of "mob rule".

Answer 7

The constitution is to limit the power of the government, not the freedoms of the poeple

Answer 8

Individuals have God-given, inalienable rights and these limitations are how these rights are protected. It's all about balance.

Answer 9

You're confusing democracy with winner-takes-all. Back to Poli-Sci 101 for you.

Answer 10

It's supposed to be democratic, but with morons in charge it isn't. That's why need a democrat in office...

Answer 11

It is democratic... if not, they would treat the minorities very bad.