Since inception, America had for many generations operated as a functional democracy, not a republic, which is notably different in that the 'will of the majority', supersedes the inalienable rights of the minority. This is a significant philosophical shift, albeit acceptable enough to Americans who still take pride in the ownership of a democracy, holding onto the belief that through the power of local, state and federal elections, the will of the people can be asserted over the will of a would be oligarchy of rich and powerful individuals.
