Why Social Change Typically Limits Democracy

Source: Town Hall
by Gregory Lyakhov

“The United States was built on a distrust of concentrated power. It is this fundamental distrust of big government that shaped federalism, defined the separation of powers, and limited each branch to a distinct role. During periods of rapid social change, however, governmental restraint weakens. Reform movements (whether in civil rights, economic regulation, or cultural policy) have not only produced legislation but also expanded judicial authority. Social progressivism brings courts to no longer just interpret the law but also reshape it. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed a clear injustice. It prohibited discrimination in employment and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Congress enacted the law through the democratic process, responding to a national failure to enforce equal protection. While many conservatives criticize the Act’s expansion of federal authority, it came through elected representatives.” (04/22/26)

https://townhall.com/columnists/gregory-lyakhov/2026/04/22/why-social-change-typically-limits-democracy-n2674846