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Title: A Republic, Not a Democracy

Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/a-republic-not-a-democracy|a-republic-not-a-democracy]]

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Created: 2022-09-15 13:30:09

Updated: 2022-09-22 03:00:00

Published: 2022-09-15 02:00:00

Converted: 2025-04-14T21:19:33.334641037


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Since the presidential election of 2016 -- or at least so it seems -- one cannot escape the bellowing of certain media outlets, members of Congress, candidates, and others howling about the "threat to our democracy" amazingly brought about by one man and those who voted for him.

A newspaper that overestimates its importance and competence declares that "Democracy dies in darkness"; this or that politician or judge who refers to the Constitution for guidance is "undermining democracy"; the mildest protests that are ostensibly protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution are designed to "destroy our democracy." Those who participate are investigated by the federal police while actual political crimes go unnoticed.

Journalists who couldn't pass a simple Intro to Journalism class in a decent high school believe that their job description solely consists of "saving our democracy." 

It's everywhere: democracy, Democracy, DEMOCRACY! 

Even elected officials and some members of the media who should know better incorrectly and inappropriately use the term when describing the American system of government.

There's just one problem: The United States is not a democracy.

In such times as these it is at once constructive and comforting to revisit the fundamental terminology and philosophy of the structure of American government.

Few books do that as well as the late political philosopher and author [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/first-principles-russell-kirk-s-the-american-cause|Russell Kirk's //The American Cause//]]. The crisply elegant book, first published in 1957, was designed to reacquaint American citizens with the fundamentals of American government, its functions, and its limitations.

In chapter six of //The American Cause//, Kirk explains that the government is a creation of the people, not its overlord. He reminds us that the Founders understood the dangers of roiling passion and central authority:

//"...in asserting that all power comes from the people, the founders of the Republic had no intention of creating a direct or 'pure' democracy. Early American statesmen -- and most of their successors -- distrusted popular passions and appetites quite as much as they distrusted the ambitions of strong men. They were not under the illusion that most men and women are naturally good and wise; they knew that neither a great popular majority nor a clever and able minority is fit to be trusted with absolute power...Therefore the United States is not a centralized democracy."//

Those who employ the term "democracy" and rage against perceived threats to that democracy are often the very individuals and institutions that actively undermine and threaten in word and deed the design and proper function of the Constitution and the American government. 

Democracy is rule by mob, which is on its face antithetical to the Constitution. 

It is our duty as citizens -- regardless of political affiliation -- to check and reject such efforts.

At the end of the first chapter of //The American Cause//, Kirk retells the story of the Athenian patriot Demosthenes, who tried in vain to persuade his fellow citizens to repel tyranny: "In God's name, I beg of you to think." 

Kirk elaborated: //"Only at the eleventh hour did the Athenians perceive the truth of his exhortations. And that eleventh hour was too late. So it may be with Americans today. If we are too indolent to think, we might as well surrender to our enemies tomorrow."//

Words matter. Concepts matter. They mattered to our Founders, who gave us a republic, not a democracy.

They gave Article V to the people in order that we might think about and recognize tyranny, particularly if its source is Capitol Hill and the halls of bureaucracy in the Federal City.

Think of what the citizenry has endured in the way of dictates, mandates, and regulations merely in the last two years from the elected and unelected who ignore their oaths and charges in attempting to impose their will. How many American lives were altered or destroyed in the name of "democracy?"

Those who have brought America to the eleventh hour would have the citizenry believe that "our democracy" is under attack, and that only by returning them to office will "our democracy" survive. 

Thinking citizens know the truth, and thinking citizens support the movement for an Article V Convention of States, which will begin to return our Republic's government to its intended limited function as a representative republic that governs from the bottom up.

As the Convention of States movement continues to gain momentum and catch the eye of the self-proclaimed saviors of democracy, and thus inevitably fall into the category of "Threat to Democracy," it is well to review //The American Cause//, reassert that the United States is a Republic, and be mindful of the true threats to our Republic.