One of the reasons for conceiving the Bottom of democracy as Number is the pejorative connotation of the term "socialism". The term is usually mis-used and done so in a highly inflamatory manner. Properly used the term refers to the Bottom of democracy, but the bottom of democracy in a triadic, Constitutional government is conceived differently and refers to each and every individual,living with others in a 'condition of togetherness' viz. each individual is bound with the other individuals into a 'condition of togetherness'. Law is one aspect of that binding. In this way,they form a "more perfect Union", i.e. a more perfect Union of individuals. The Union is of individuals,(We the People) not States. Its the real individual who is important in a democracy, not the abstraction "the social". Of course, the term can also be used abstractly, but the implication is that the "social", as a whole, is a form of government. It's not! The social, as a whole, cannot govern. Only the Top of government can govern because only the Top has power. The Bottom is the essence of government and the Top must govern according to the Constitution for the benefit of the individuals at the Bottom. Of course, the term, "socialism", is always used in a pejorative manner as when one Party refers to the policies of the other party. Its usually an allusion to the term "Communism". That is unfortunate but it just points to the huge difference of opinion within our Union of individuals; its called Party politics. All political Parties should be for democracy, not some self-serving Party ideology. However, the term "social" or the term "society" are valid ways to refer to the individuals at the Bottom of a democracy. Thats why we should conceive the bottom of democracy as Number. Number is a quantification and can be used to delineate exclusion and inclusion. 'Keeping score' of democracy becomes a lot easier and it avoids the inflamtory term "socialism". Its the Bottom of democracy that grants power to the Top of government. It does this by means of the electoral process. The problem with the electoral process is that it functions by 'representation' and that requires a choice to be made by the representative; a choice between the 'personal' and the 'political'. The good news is they serve only for a short time.