We think of ourselves as living in a democracy and we do, sort of. Actually ours is a republic. Yes, it is a government "of the people, for the people, by the people," which is a definition of democracy. But we are not a pure democracy. "The people" cannot vote to do away with certain "inalienable" rights; our Constitution won't let them. In a republic a constitution or bill of rights protects basic rights--they cannot be taken away, even by a majority of voters.