| Actually, it was a republic before it was much of a democracy. Thus, at the beginning of the republic, blacks and women were disenfranchised, most states had property qualifications to be able to vote, and the state legislatures elected senators. The electoral college was not bound to follow the popular vote for president, and in one instance did not. The House represented the principle of proportional representation, but there were two senators from each state to dilute the strength of populous states. The legislature was bicameral, and the president was allowed a veto, in order to impede the ability of simple majorities to get their way. Over all, the Founding Fathers distrusted democracy, and wanted, at best, to ease into it........ |
