Our Founding Fathers considered the protection of minority rights as those few individuals who retained control
over society. These individuals were property holders, policy makers or those who possessed positions of
power. Many today believe that minority rights are protecting special classes as those who possess certain
ethnic traits or other characteristics. As monarchies and despots primarily ruled the world, America’s Founding
Fathers properly came to reason that their intent to establish a successful republican government would in fact
be an anomaly. Of primary concern was to gather the support of man to subscribe to this new “social contract”
thereby relinquishing some rights for the betterment of society. These elites sought to establish a new power
structure to assure their position as American elites and not subjects to the Crown. Convincing the masses to
join in this revolution required careful manipulation of the masses. Students are asked to contemplate the
following question: “What were the primary motivating factors for America’s Founding Fathers to rebel against
England?”
America’s Founding Fathers identified themselves as elites requiring protection against majority factions. Were
they more concerned about overreaching government power or the mass class? What measures did the
Founders engage to manipulate the masses to support the American Revolution and elite control over public
policy?
One may argue that elites still govern our society. If so, then how do today’s elites manipulate the masses to
maintain legitimacy? Are the measures identical to those undertaken by our Founding Fathers?
Identify significant specific instances where the degree of legitimacy bestowed on elite leaders has dipped.
What would happen if the majority of citizens lose faith in policy makers? Would the result be the destruction of
our system or would nothing change?
What is your opinion about protecting minority rights against majority factions? Do the various checks and
balances of our system protect “the people” or today’s ruling class? Has the system really changed throughout
our nation’s history?