Which is best and why? Serious answers please... if you think America is a democracy don't even answer this... Or better yet, out of all types and theories, what is best?
2006-06-22 10:23:19 · 7 answers · asked by unknown 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
... for those of you who are anal- some issues on a state level are settled in a democratic way, but AMERICA itself is not a democracy.
2006-06-22 10:40:04 · update #1
a true democracy that is
2006-06-22 10:40:18 · update #2
Republic.
And I am partial to republics.
However, a tyranny with me as supreme leader would be best.
2006-06-22 10:28:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our nation is a representative democracy. It can also be referred to as a Federal Republic, because states retain certain autonomous rights that the Federal government can not usurp.
Our system is "Federal" because we have separation of powers between the national, state, and local governments. Our system is a "Republic" because we don't vote directly on laws, but rather elect legislators to craft these laws on our behalf.
In a representative democracy, citizens elect officers and representatives (Congressmen, Senators, governors, mayors), who they trust to work in their interests.
A direct democracy is not feasible. It is actually a dangerous idea, because people often are not patient or wise enough to act in their own long term interests. We elect a President to be a STATESMAN, someone who will not pander to each passing whim of the general public. A direct democracy just encourages mob mentality, and would never result in consistent policies. One week people are for something, and the next week they are against it. Government cannot operate like that.
A direct democracy also encourages extreme political behavior. By electing representatives to vote for you, based on your collective will, compromises have to be made through a slow, deliberate, thougtful, rational political process, based on careful debate and analysis of an issue from all sides.
As I said, direct democracy just encourages thoughtless mob mentality based on passing whims.
2006-06-22 17:45:47 · answer #2 · answered by pachl@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To some extent, in spite of your condescending "dont even answer this" America is a democracy, even according to your limited definition.
Many questions ARE voted on by public referendum at the state and local level. And their are other aspects of our system that qualify as "democracy" according to most strict definitions.
However, I favor the republic system in most cases. It supports the original concept of this country, built on the constitution, state's rights, and federalism. This provides for protections against tyranny of the majority, which is one of the great liberty protectors in our wonderful republic.
2006-06-22 17:30:31 · answer #3 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Direct democracy would be mob rule. A republic works best.
2006-06-22 17:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
direct democracy with meritocratic elements to compensate for mob rule. Republic is really just another word for oligarchy which is impossible to legit call a "democracy."
2006-06-22 17:29:26 · answer #5 · answered by kucitizenx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither, When the electorate figures out it can raid the treasury with it's vote. The government will eventually collapse.
2006-06-22 17:51:31 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Bugly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does not exist. Ancient Greece, for instance, called itself so. Nasty time, nasty life. The best thing being said of it is of W.Churchill but i would like if you will find his saying yourself :-)
2006-06-22 17:39:53 · answer #7 · answered by alakit013 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋