The Future of Freedom

1) ''Founded as a republic that believed in a balance between the will of the majority and the rights of the minority - or, more broadly, between liberty and democracy - America is increasingly embracing a single-minded populism that values popularity and openness as the key measures of legitimacy.''
2) ''Delegated democracy, in the view of many of America's founders, would produce better government because it would be exercised by people interested and experienced in public affairs and still accountable to the people. Above all, for Madison, it was a mechanism by which to temper narrow interests and short-term perspectives - precisely the problem we face today. But whereas in the rest of life delegation and specialization increase, in politics the trend is in the opposite direction. If you were to argue in the business world that any amateur could run a large company because experience in business has no bearing on one's ability to do the job, you would be ridiculed. Say that about government and you are a sage. We have decided that although we cannot file our tax forms, write our wills, or configure our computers, we can pass laws ourselves.''