A breif history of the Democratic process can be outlined by following the works of John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Paine, and eventually Thomas Jefferson. Between 1690 and 1776, these authors created the foundation for todays "Democracy." These authors are responsible for the creation of the American Republic.

In 1690, John Locke proposed ideas to form what is now called democracy. In his book, "Two Treatises of Government" Locke proclaimed that all men and women are created equal. He also stated that everybody, regardless of age, sex, and race, have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He believed that rulers/leaders have a responsibility to protect those rights, and if they failed to do so, the people have the right to change leaders. These are the basic tenants of a democratic government.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau has been hailed the champion of democracy for his ideas that political authority works hand in hand with the people. He believed all people are good at heart, but eventually become corrupted by society. He was completely correct when he stated this. When babies are born, they have no motivation to be greedy, and all he or she thinks about is how to survive. However, as the years go on, society (U.S.A.) molds this once innocent baby into motivated "go getter." Greed takes its toll and another American citizen is created.

With the basic ideas to form a potential government, it was just a matter of time until somebody took those ideas and put them into practice. Over a century and a half passed before a democracy became a reality. The New World had to be the best place on earth to experiment with this new concept. In 1776 Tom Paine published "Common Sense" urging Americans to declare independence from weakened Britain. George Washington took the initiative and established the Continental Army while Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. On July fourth, 1776, many American leaders signed the Declaration that Jefferson drafted, pledging "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Hence, the American Republic was formed.

When America claimed independence from Britain they established a government best described as a Democratic Republic. The difference between a Democracy and a Democratic Republic is this. A Democracy is run by an authority figure, of sorts, elected by the people. In a Democracy, the people have the ultimate say. The same is true with a Democratic Republic except the people elect a representative of their state to represent them and their motivations. However, it seems as though nobody cares about the overall census anymore and the president may do as he pleases.

Growing stronger with each passing year, America proved to be a force not to be reckoned with. Nothing seemed like it could bring down this powerful nation. Then it hit like a lightning strike, the Great Depression. With the negligence of the economy by Herbert Hoover, people were roaming the streets of America without a home. In came Roosevelt, and the economy found its way back up. However, to raise the economy he had to control it. Many of the following presidents followed the road of control, but in doing so became more and more selfish. With each passing year, the people who control the Democrat and Republican parties grow stronger. Recently, these two parties have become the power elite. With their control over society ever increasing, they become more and more corrupt and greedy.