"在我们的政府中,真正的权力掌握在大多数社区成员手中,个人权利的侵害主要不是来自政府违背其选民意愿的行为,而是来自政府作为大多数选民工具所执行的行为。"
— James Madison
Simplified Meaning:
In a democratic society, the most influence comes from what the majority of people want. Sometimes, private rights are threatened, not because the government oversteps its boundaries, but because it simply does what most people want. For example, imagine a neighborhood where most residents decide they want to cut down all the trees to build more houses. Even if a few people strongly believe the trees should be protected, their rights are at risk because the government might follow the majority’s wishes to remove the trees. This means it's important for individuals to be vigilant and ensure that the rights of everyone, including the minority, are respected. People should actively participate in their community to safeguard their rights and those of others, rather than relying solely on the government.