Which document served as a foundation for American democracy?

The Constitution is widely recognized as the foundational document for American democracy because it established the framework for the federal government and embodies the principles of democracy, including popular sovereignty, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Ratified in 1788, the Constitution created a system that allows for representation, legal protections, and rights for citizens while also providing mechanisms for governance and lawmaking.

While the Articles of Confederation were significant as the first governing document of the United States, they ultimately proved to be inadequate due to the lack of strong central authority, which led to the drafting of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, while influential in the ratification process and in explaining the principles behind the Constitution, are not the governing document itself. The Magna Carta, though it laid the groundwork for certain legal principles and limitations on power, pertains more to English history and has influenced various democratic principles but is not a direct foundation for American democracy. Thus, the Constitution stands as the definitive document that delineates the structure and principles of the American democratic system.