“The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is simply majoritarianism, which is inherently incompatible with real freedom. Our founding fathers clearly understood this, as evidenced not only by our republican constitutional system, but also by their writings in the Federalist Papers and elsewhere. James Madison cautioned that under a democratic government, “There is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or the obnoxious individual.” John Adams argued that democracies merely grant revocable rights to citizens depending on the whims of the masses, while a republic exists to secure and protect preexisting rights. Yet how many Americans know that the word “democracy” is found neither in the Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence, our very founding documents?” (source)
Whilie I certainly disagree with a lot of Libertarian notions (and nearly every bit of the Ayn Rand bullshit), this bit from the article is quite poignant. Both absolute democracy and absolute freedom are undesirable. What we should strive for is a balance of freedom, safety and prosperity that enables us each to have equal opportunity, no fear of violence or other maliciousness and the freedoms that are essential to create happiness.