California’s Plight Confirms the Founders’ Fears

Marion Smith / May 01, 2011

California is teetering on the edge of economic and social collapse. According to an Economist special report, this is largely the result of decisions to implement direct democracy reforms during the Progressive era, such as poplar recall, initiatives, propositions, and referenda — reforms that have “inflamed” the passions of the people — “James Madison’s worst nightmare.”

The insidious influence of factions (groups united by passions or interests that are contrary to the rights of individuals or the wellbeing of the community as a whole) helped to cause California’s downward spiral of government and economy. California’s plight confirms the American Founders’ aversion to pure democracy and their preference for republican self-government. (more…)