Summary
Contents
This comprehensive guide is the definitive source for researchers seeking an understanding of those who have occupied the White House and on the institution of the U.S. presidency. Readers turn to Guide to the Presidency for its wealth of facts and analytical chapters that explain the structure, powers, and operations of the office and the president’s relationship with Congress and the Supreme Court. The work is divided into eight distinct subject areas covering every aspect of the U.S. presidency.
Chapter 20 Public Support and Opinion
Chapter 20 Public Support and Opinion
A republic is founded on the consent of the governed. Its legitimacy depends in part on the sense among citizens that government policies are responsive to the popular will. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution recognized that fact and were committed to constructing a government based on democratic principles. At the same time, however, the Framers recognized that several other objectives were essential for republican government to be successful. For example, it would do little good for government to be responsive to public opinion if the majority sought policies that violated the rights and liberties of others. Similarly, the Framers understood the importance of ensuring the security and stability of the new nation. The ...
