Foundations of American Democracy
Enlightenment Ideas
The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement in the 18th century that profoundly influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution, shaping their understanding of governmental principles.
Natural Rights
The concept of natural rights asserts that individuals are born with inherent rights bestowed upon them by their creator. These rights are not granted by a monarch or any government and therefore cannot be taken away. Thinkers also posited a theoretical "state of nature" preceding government where humans exist in a state of freedom. This idea significantly influenced the framers.
Popular Sovereignty and Social Contract
Popular sovereignty suggests that the power to govern resides inherently in the people. To safeguard their natural rights, people willingly cede some of this power to a government, forming a social contract. Consequently, the state becomes a servant of the people rather than the reverse. If a government violates this agreement and becomes tyrannical, the people have a right, even a duty, to overthrow it and replace it with a just government.
Republicanism
In a republican government, citizens elect leaders to represent them and create laws in alignment with the public interest. To prevent tyranny, power should be divided among three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The culmination of these Enlightenment ideas suggests that the optimal form of government is a limited government. A limited government is structured to prevent tyranny through checks and balances and the distribution of power among multiple actors.
Influence on Foundational Documents
These Enlightenment ideals are evident in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The Declaration of Independence establishes the foundation for popular sovereignty, the social contract, and natural rights. For example:
- Natural Rights: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
- Social Contract and Popular Sovereignty: "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Furthermore, the Constitution embodies republicanism and the separation of powers.
Types of Democracy
Participatory Democracy
Emphasizes broad participation in society.
Pluralist Democracy
Groups of people align with interest groups that compete to influence public policy. This model provides a voice to the people collectively.
Elite Democracy
Emphasizes…