Can you trust democratic goverments to spend money wisely?

Question

I live in the UK and ont really think so, but am i wrong and everyone else thinks you can?

The problem with Democracy it is generally the largest minorty, true in the UK, we vote in goverments with about 40% of the vote and at best 70% vote.

The Conservative view was always let the people spen it on what they want, so tax less and the people can spen it on waht they want, but those who pay less tax get less back an have no social services. So th eLabour view was tax more an the goverment will spen it wisely.
As we geneeraly believe they all lie, and the even if they start of with good intentions the system f***s them up.

Answer 1

No, you can't trust democratic (as well as non-democratic governments) to spend money wisely by a number of reasons. First: even when a democratic government represent 55% of the voters, there are potentially 45% (if not more), who would disagree with the government's policies. Second: the fact that you vote for a government does not mean you support or will support everything they do - they just look a little better than their opposition at the moment, that's why people vote for them.
Democracy certainly does not guarantee the best decisions. Think of the times when the Earth was considered flat. Imagine what the democratic vote on this issue would have been: "democratically decided - the Earth is flat!"
However, imperfect as it is, democracy is by far the best form of delegating power to ensure it represents the common interest of society. This interest may be mediocre, but it certainly will be acceptable for a large part of the people.

Answer 2

the problem with your question is you dont understand the meaning behind the word democratic. To truely be a democratic govt, you have to realize that YOU are the boss in the situation. So if your democratic govt is doing something wrong and they get away with it, it is YOUR fault directly. You are the responsible party, and YOU decide what the money gets spent on and what it doesnt. When the public stops participating in thier govt, and you imply, then it is no longer a democracy.

Answer 3

We live in a democracy ,however the United States is a republic.Gore found out when he lost ,a republic is a representative government .Now to answer your question in a democracy simple majority rules and so if more people are in favor of something then it happens whether it is a good or bad decision.wisely seldom enters the equation

Answer 4

Yes, but only when the PEOPLE control the reins of government. We in America have become a "democracy" by proxy. We allow professional polititions to determine when and where to spend OUR money. Now, having said that, the scariest thing that can happen in a "democracy" is for the people to realize that they can vote themselves money, that they can take money from one person and put it in THEIR pockets at the ballot box. Look around. Sound familiar?

Answer 5

Good question,
I would not trust democratic governments to spend money very wisely since most governments focusing on popularity spend money on short term projects which will bring future loss such as city academies and P.F.I. initiatives. Also increased government spending on certain areas will increase inflation, however in dictatorships there is larger spending on military armament such as in North Korea so democratic governments are the best choice we have.

Answer 6

Can you trust citizens to vote wisely???
I think we should vote for the best future we can instead of for whats going to line our pockets.. Corruption is at the bottom end of the system as well as the top. A country's politicians may reflect the people of the country who vote for them !!!
Trust democratic governments as much as the Democratic voters.

Answer 7

Its not the system that makes the trust..some Democracies, ie ours and the Americans, are crooked as hell. Some dictatorships can be benign. Its all a matter of person. Still, cant be democracy:) Lets hope we get one back someday...

Answer 8

No, but you can trust REPUBLICAN governments to spend money wisely! Just look at how much better the USA is doing right now. This did not happen by accident.

Answer 9

the prime minister uses the RAF for flights to his Holiday resorts, that's wise otherwise he would have to travel with the working class peasants he supposedly represents.Prescott got three cars and three houses,,wise man, what sort of socialist doesn't have the same,please don't deprive these millionaires of a socialist standard of living

Answer 10

all governments spend money on"will i win/lose votes" and how many and not for the benefit of the public.