Government and Politics - The Original Constitution Did Not Have Many D

Government and political relation - The Original Constitution Did Not Have legion(predicate) Democratic Traits In two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf, Americans fought and died so that country would prevail around the world. In the minds of many Americans, America is the bastion of democracy. But how popular is America? Todays America was born with the signing of the constitution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, it was determined how antiauthoritarian America would be. And every American should ask himself how democratic America was made at that constitutional convention in Philadelphia. Before pondering the extent of democracy unmatchable must determine what the term democracy means. Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to citizens preferences.ii The traditional democratic theory further explains the ideas behind democracy. The five aspects of this theory are tha t one man equals one vote, there is good voter-turnout, citizens can obtain knowledge through free speech and press, the general public controls government agenda, and an extension of each rights to all citizens.iiii From this, one could say a true democracy would submit every bill to the public for a popular vote, like the traditional townsfolk meetings of old New England where all eligible voters met to have their say in governmental agenda.iiiiii One could also say that democracy implies protection of rights and equal rights for all. Or, as Abraham Lincoln said, a democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people.iviv The people make the government, they have a say in the agenda, and the government governs by the peoples consent. This ... ...rm Caucus in Action, American Politics Classic and Contemporary Readings (Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999), 18. xvxv Roche, John P., The Founding Fathers A Reform Caucus in Action, American Politics Classic and Contemporary Readings (Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999), 10 & 12. xvixvi Roche, John P., The Founding Fathers A Reform Caucus in Action, American Politics Classic and Contemporary Readings (Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999), 14. xviixvii The Constitution of the United States of America from American Politics Classic and Contemporary Readings (Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999) pgs 566-572. Article I, Section 2, Clause 1. xviiixviii Rakove, Jack, A Tradition Born of Strife, American Politics Classic and Contemporary Readings (Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999), 6.