Logo

Why is the word "democracy" not in the preamble of the US Constitution?

Last Updated: 17.06.2025 03:05

Why is the word "democracy" not in the preamble of the US Constitution?

Another tendency, which is extremely natural to democratic nations and extremely dangerous, is that which leads them to despise and undervalue the rights of private persons.

I do not say that democracy has been more pernicious on the whole, and in the long run, than monarchy or aristocracy. Democracy has never been and never can be so durable as aristocracy or monarchy; but while it lasts, it is more bloody than either.

Why? Try these on for size:

What are the beliefs of those who think climate change is a conspiracy theory? What do they predict will happen if we do not address it?

—Alexis de Tocqueville

In other words, our Founding Fathers and other Whig intellects of that time well understood that democratic methods are the surefire means to do serious damage to the rights guaranteed under republican self-government.

The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.

Jenny from Perth writes – my partner is the life of the party, women and men adore him. But at home, he gets angry at us for the silliest reasons and never nice words me or our kids, always putting us down. Should I stay or leave him?

To slaves: “You can forget your notions of freedom. We voted fair and square and your side lost.”

[with republicanism being the rights-protecting form of governance afforded us by our Constitution]

—John Adams

What do men like to be given for their birthday?

When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.

To blacks: “You can’t drink from that water fountain… eat in this cafeteria… ride this bus… go to this school. We voted fair and square and your side lost.

To Indians: “Pack up what belongings you can carry and start walking to Oklahoma. Your fertile lands are ours now. We voted fair and square and your side lost.”

The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located - ScienceAlert

—Thomas Jefferson

—Benjamin Franklin

Meanwhile, when the Democratic Party formed in 1828, it was with a Tory outlook keen on robbing others of their rights:

Why are daughters mean to their mothers?

Majority-rules democracy is the way that majorities run roughshod over minorities, destroying rights and all ideas of equality under the law. No fair-minded person wants anything to do with democracy.