Democratic principle of `majority rule with respect for minority rights`

Democracy is a form of government , and in its most general terms , it is a system where the people rule by electing their leader (s . The people or rather citizens , through this system , decide on leader (s ) and political issues by majority rule . Citizens vote and the majority determines the position of the entire population . During the making of the American democratic system , the founders of the Constitution feared that the majority rule concept would or could lead to tyranny if the power was not balanced . The founders of the United States , therefore

br incorporated the principle of majority rule into the Constitution . This principle was countered with the establishment of a checks and balance system , such that no one group at any one time could control completely any one branch of government

Among the minority population , however , there was and is always a fear that the majority will disregard the former 's particular needs in to fulfill the latter 's own wants and needs . Minorities are often defined in terms of religion , race , gender , sexuality , ethnicity and /or political difference . To protect the minority population , certain rights and freedoms are necessary to prevent a potential oppression by the majority

A successful democracy is one that incorporates both concepts so that an effective and fair government is formed . The founders wished for a country where the will of the majority ruled . These founding fathers had originally come to this new land to escape tyrants ruling in Europe particularly in England . They knew , however , that the majority rule could transform into a tyranny of the majority , therefore , it was necessary to have rights and freedoms for all individuals , including minorities , enshrined in the U .S . Constitution (Mitsopoulos , 2007 ,

br 5 )The two work hand in hand to ensure that the democracy still persists

As mentioned , these concepts have been incorporated into the U .S Constitution . One will find an example of majority rule in Secton 2 The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every Year by the People ' It was intended by the constitutional authors that the House of Representatives would be the people 's house , such that its members would and are elected directly by voters in each state . On the other hand , the first ten Amendments , or the Bill of Rights inherently protects the rights of individuals and in effect minorities as do Amendments added later . These rights and freedoms include but are not limited to the following (1 ) Equal Protection (14th Amendment such that laws must be applied to each person equally regardless of race , gender , sexuality , ethnicity (2 ) Freedom of Religion (1st Amendment , such that each person has a right to practice his /her own belief without the fear of government interference (3 ) Freedom of Speech and Expression (1st Amendment , such that each member of society has a right to free speech with limited regulation (e .g . child pornography illegal (Killian ) The intent of the constitutional authors with regard to rights and freedoms of...