The essence of a representative republic is that these horrible leaders would still be checked by the minority of non-horrible leaders.<p>In a direct democracy, the mob only needs 51% of the referendum.  In representative government, a minority of representatives can prevent disastrous legislation from happening, through the threat of filibuster or by holding a more valuable (to the opposition) bill hostage.<p>In 2009 when Democrats held a Congressional majority, they didn&#x27;t get everything they wanted.  Now in 2015, Republicans hold a Congressional majority, they still don&#x27;t get everything they wanted.  Whichever side you&#x27;re on, you must admit that these checks prevented the &quot;bad guys&quot; from prevailing.