Ravenwood writes:

The words are not interchangeable, nor should they be. Democracy is a form of government, and one which is not necessarily free. People can be tyrannized by the majority just as easily as they can be by a ruthless dictator. That is why America was established as a Republic and not a Democracy. Our Founding Fathers even warned about the dangers of a Democracy, noting that the many could exploit the one.

Be sure to read the rest.