In: Economics
Part I: Discussion:
Direct Democracy can be defined as a form or system of democracy giving citizens an extraodinary amount of participation in the legislation process and granting them a maximum of political self-determination.
First, as a democracy, the U.S. was not established. The founders established a republic, leaving out all those who were initially unable to vote (slaves, females, males without land in many countries). A republic is a system where electors do not directly rule, but choose officials to talk for them.
Representatives are not required to hold the public opinion slavishly, but to exercise their judgement. They face regular elections in the Senate every six years and in the House of Representatives every two years.
The founders feared the public might be aroused by passions, and these passions might become hostage to domestic politics. Therefore, people (always men) wished to mediate between public opinion and domestic politics. They also anticipated that these people would be substantial and property, with much to lose from mistake and also harder to corrupt. This mirrors Trump's argument that because of his riches he is less corruptible.
The founders therefore believed nothing at all in direct democracy. They established a republic, a creature that was very distinct. This initial concept of republicanism derives from the electoral college. The founders tried to fix this scheme with a severe issue. They didn't want a system of parliament. Parliaments produced one for the executive and the parliament. They wished to verify and balance each other's executive and congress (and they ever do). Therefore, they needed another institution.
The founders, as they feared factionalism, did not want political parties. The two-party system, which provides voters with basically a binary selection and minor parties on the margins, has never been expected. What could have happened, and what could still happen, is a full gridlock— a scenario with many feasible applicants, none with the majority of popular votes or the majority of electoral votes. Who was able to fix this issue? There was a need for an organization that could negotiate, compromise, and form a coalition to elect a majority president. In the course of negotiations, these individuals had to be free to alter their votes.