"Many Americans would be surprised to learn that the word 'democracy' does not appear in the Declaration of Independence, or the U.S. Constitution. Nor does it appear in any of the constitutions of the fifty states. The Founders did everything they could to keep us from having a democracy." Democracy = mob rules. Republic = rule of law. Keep this in mind when American politicians--of any stripe--talk about the "will of the people". This is worth ten minutes of your time if you've forgotten--or never got--this lesson in civics class.