No Democracy, Republic Please

Democracy, in the strict sense of majority rule, is a bad idea. What works, in America and Switzerland and elsewhere, is republican (small r) government. Walter Williams tackles the subject (briefly) in his latest column. The distinction is often lost on many. So it's a good refresher, and certainly something to ponder, especially for Iraqis and Lebanese these days.

Here are a couple of quotes: (from "How to Create Conflict" by Walter Williams)

Chief Justice John Marshall added, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

And:

Majority rule is a zero-sum game with winners and losers, with winners having the power to impose their wills on the minority. Conflict emerges when the minority resists.