The Participatory Model

The participatory model of representative democracy best achieves the founders intent for American Democracy in terms of ensuring a stable government run by the people. The Constitution more than anything focuses on giving equal opportunities to citizens to participate in politics and to protect their rights in general. Even though the world has changed since the writing of the Constitution, the balanced and lasting principals that emphasize the role of the people in government is still relevant. The participatory model represents the people well.

In the Bill of Rights, a part of the Constitution that is made up of ten amendments to the original document, the rights and liberties promised to the people are identified. As part of these rights, people have the power to choose the representatives to speak for them in government through their vote. By voting in their own leaders, they become involved in the process of government and make sure that their needs are met. People today have many chances to participate in our democracy on local, state and national levels.  Some citizens participate more than others, but almost everyone has the opportunity to have a voice.  Some people might think that the elite model of representative democracy best achieves the founders intent, because the more educated the public is the more likely they are to vote.  This may be true but would this model really represent the people? At best, it could in a limited way.  More important is the concept of believing that each person can make a difference and that each vote has an impact on leadership.

Another way that people can have a say in government happens when they are not happy with a law or a leader. In Brutus I, the people do not only have the power to pick their rulers, they also have the power of "...displacing them when they misbehave..."  Voters can recall or impeach an elected official especially in cases where they feel an official is not representing them or if an elected leader is charged with misconduct or a criminal act. It isn't easy to remove an official from office but the checks and balances keep leaders from overstepping boundaries and misusing power.

  How does impeachment work? - Alex Gendler

In the Declaration of Independence, the founders established their reasons for breaking away from the British Empire in a statement that says, "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." So even in the initial founding document, it is stated that people can recreate their laws and power framework if necessary.