Jim Elwell wrote in USMA 20264: >However, the last paragraph of Louis' post brings up a very important >point: since when is a government supposed to impose things that are not >supported by the population, and how is that any different than tyranny? > >Such statements make me want to equate liberal = tyrannical.
It is important to distinguish between two conceptions of democracy. A representative votes for what he perceives to be the wishes of his constituents. The US constitution, with its division of powers between the executive and the legislative branches, favors this concept. The British tradition does not have this division. Members of Parliament are expected to vote for what they perceive to be in the best interests of the country and their constituents. They are delegates and not rpresentatives. Joseph B.Reid 17 Glebe Road West Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
