The will of the majority is naturally powerful in a democracy
The will of the majority is naturally powerful in a democracy. Most American constitutions have strengthened this natural power even further by providing that representatives to the legislatures are appointed directly by the people for shortterms (such that the legislature is very ready to obey the wishes of the majority), and then by concentrating almost all of the powers of government in the legislatures. The majority derives its moral authority from the notion that: (1) a great number will tend to be more enlightened than a small group of men; and (2) the interest of the greatest number should be preferred to that of the few. Primarily, however, Americans accept the po
There are very few checks in America against this possibility. There is nothing to stop the majority once it has decided on a course of action. Lawyers tend to bring an aristocratic element to American democracy, which provides one of the strongest barriers against its faults. Although the American governments are centralized, their projects can only be carried out by decentralized agents in the townships and counties. This gives themajority immense power. Civil juries protect against tyranny by making all citizens a part of the judicial process. The potential for misuse of the power of the majority is the greatest threat to American political institutions. The powers granted to the majority in America leave the minority in danger of being subjected to tyranny. The jury is the most effective way of establishing the people's rule and the most effective way of teaching them how to rule. wer of the majority because they all hope to profit from it someday. They provide a respect for court decisions and an idea of right throughout all classes. The modern American tends to conform to the ideas of the majority rather than rebel against them. This tends to retard the imposition of the will of the majority. This is because the majority is a power that does not respond well to criticism.
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,
power majority,
misuse power,
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Acceptance Essays
