When exiting the Constitutional Convention a woman asked Franklin what they had done. He said they had given the people 'a Republic ;if you can keep it' . Republics are not only founded upon the consent of the people, they are also absolutely dependent upon the active and informed involvement of the people for their continued good health.
"If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools." Plato