> This seems like an entirely hypothetical flaw in direct democracy whereas you only have to glance at the news to see that it's very non-hypothetical for our current system of representative democracy.
If it were up to elected representatives, it probably would have been illegal into the 1990s as well. Interracial marriage was legalized by the court system applying constitutional protections of individual rights to override laws created by elected representatives.
Sure, but where interracial marriage is already illegal (as it was in the 1950s due to overwhelming popular disapproval) it’s unlikely to be made legal during a period when the majority of voters still disapprove of it.
Not a very “hypothetical” flaw. If it was up to the majority to decide, interracial marriage likely would’ve been illegal into the 1990s: http://content.gallup.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Prod...