" In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any principles than those of justice and the general good."
The Politics of Civil Liberties
The Bill of Rights is an important limitation on popular rule. It says that there are things that a government cannot do even if a majority wants them done.
Why do the Liberties claimed by some people ever become a major issue? There are three reasons. In two of the three the politics of civil Liberties are similar to those of any other issue.
First, there may be Rights in conflict ( in which case we have interest-group politics). Second, passions may be inflamed by a skilled policy entrepreneur ( or a demagogue). But the third reason makes the politics of civil Liberties different from most issues.
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