I hope it is clear that in"a Democracy", The Individual, and any group of Individuals composing any Minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of The Majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man. The chief characteristic and distinguishing feature of "a Democracy" is: Rule by Omnipotent Majority.  It should be noted, in passing, that use of the word "Democracy" as meaning merely the popular type of government--that is, featuring genuinely free elections by the people periodically--is what I understand my friend and Beaver softball coach Mr. Christensen to be indicating. The difference being so great with the slightest adjustment. To have "democratic elections" within a representative Constitutional republic is not, in any way, to have "A democracy". Hat tip to this passage , please feel free to read, enlightening to say the least. http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/AmericanIdeal/aspects/demrep.html