The Constitution was ratified in 1787. The democracy Madison and the founding fathers were trying to achieve was that of a pluralist democracy. The constitution is the best support for this thesis but other documents also pertain. The people play a part in this type of democracy, but not as much as a participatory democracy.

The Constitution states that people don't vote on every issue, but rather elects a representative they feel embodies their beliefs and values. Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector ( Constitution, Article 2). However, the people still have the power to oust this person if they feel the person isn't doing a suitable job. Some people wondered if they gave up too much power and the government would become tyrannical. For example, "... when the people once part with power, they can seldom or never resume it again but by force" ( Brutus 1). Another important piece of evidence to support the thesis the founders' intent was a pluralist democracy is from Federalist 10. "Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other (Federalist 10).



In conclusion, the democracy the founders were mainly striving for was the pluralist democracy. James Madison represented the pluralist democracy through factions, majorities, and minorities.