Why did many revolutionary leaders shaping the government of the new nation begin to find the principle of democracy troubling? How did they attempt to balance democracy with other concerns in the new government?
Many of the revolutionary leaders in the American colonies were quite well educated and knew Socrates' and Plato's ideas and writings.
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Many revolutionary leaders shaping the government of the new nation began to find the principle of democracy troubling for several reasons. They were concerned about the potential dangers associated with unrestrained democracy, such as the tyranny of the majority, mob rule, and the instability that could arise from too much power in the hands of the common people. These leaders also feared that a purely democratic system might not effectively protect individual rights and property.
To balance democracy with other concerns in the new government, these leaders implemented various measures aimed at safeguarding against the potential pitfalls of democracy. Some of these measures included:
1. Separation of powers: They established a system of checks and balances, dividing power among different branches of government (such as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches) to prevent any one group from becoming too dominant.
2. Representative government: Rather than direct democracy, they opted for a representative form of government where elected officials would make decisions on behalf of the people. This allowed for a more deliberative and informed decision-making process.
3. Limited government: They sought to limit the power of government and protect individual rights through the inclusion of a written constitution that clearly outlined the rights and liberties of the people, which the government was obligated to respect and protect.
4. Federalism: They created a system of federalism, where power was shared between the national government and the states. This division of power helped to balance competing interests and prevent excessive concentration of power.
5. Bill of Rights: To further protect individual freedoms, they added a Bill of Rights to the constitution, which guaranteed certain fundamental rights and placed restrictions on government's ability to infringe upon them.
These measures, among others, aimed to strike a balance between democracy and concerns about stability, protection of individual rights, and prevention of tyranny. It is important to note that the balance struck by these measures can vary in different countries and contexts, as the implementation of democracy is highly dependent on the specific historical, cultural, and political circumstances.