CHAPTER XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences--Part I.
Chapter Summary Natural strength of the majority in democracies--Most of the American Constitutions have increased this strength by artificial means--How this has been done--Pledged delegates--Moral power of the majority--Opinion as to its infallibility--Respect for its rights, how augmented in the United States.
Unlimited Power Of The Majority In The United States, And Its Consequences The very essence of democratic government consists in the absolute sovereignty of the majority; for there is nothing in democratic States which is capable of resisting it.

Most of the American Constitutions have sought to increase this natural strength of the majority by artificial means.

*a [Footnote a: We observed, in examining the Federal Constitution, that the efforts of the legislators of the Union had been diametrically opposed to the present tendency.

The consequence has been that the Federal Government is more independent in its sphere than that of the States.

But the Federal Government scarcely ever interferes in any but external affairs; and the governments of the State are in the governments of the States are in reality the authorities which direct society in America.] The legislature is, of all political institutions, the one which is most easily swayed by the wishes of the majority.