What made/makes the U.S. unique is that it is/was founded not on allowing the will of the majority to dictate but rather on protecting and preserving the rights

What made/makes the U.S. unique is that it is/was founded not on allowing the will of the majority to dictate but rather on protecting and preserving the rights (freedoms and liberties) of the minority. The greatest minority is the individual. Just because >50% of the people will or want something does not mean that they and their government are not tyrannical. The majority can be wrong.