Or do you believe a true democracy can only be achieved through a popular vote? It seems strange to me that the politician with less votes from the people can become elected as president.
2006-07-06 05:20:10 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
of course not.
We live in a republic, not a democracy. We elect representatives, and they get the power. Not to mention you can't have a democracy unless you have a propoganda-free media.
2006-07-06 05:21:39 · answer #1 · answered by truthyness 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. We do have a true republic though.
In a true democracy, we wouldn't have to elect representatives, each and every one of us would be able to make a direct impact on government--without even having to vote. But there are so many of us that a "true" democracy wouldn't work; so instead, we've adopted "Democracy Lite," where we hire--oh, I mean elect people to represent certain percentages of the population. If we had a true democracy, and not just a republic that says it has democratic ideals, then we'd have a radically different and probably more chaotic, totally inefficient country.
As for what's happened in America, especially recently; I think we're the farthest thing from a democracy and fairly close to a kind of not-fully-developed autocracy, where a small (and loud) number of people not only get to tell the rest of us what to do, but get more and more tax breaks and self-administered raises if we disagree with them too much.
2006-07-06 05:33:29 · answer #2 · answered by chipchinka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a democracy, and does not claim to be one. Otherwise 51% of the people could vote to kill 49% of the people, and everything would be a nice democracy. It is a republic.
States have localized autonomy. The ramifications of our civil war are still felt even today. The ultimate question of the civil war was are you a citizen of your state first and the union second, or of the union first and your state second. The south says the former, the north the latter. The north won.
The electoral college is great because it prevents farmers from being raped over the coals. Other systems that tried just popular government ignore the basic rural needs, as if all you want are quantity to your votes, you would only campaign in the cities and make things good for cities only. The electoral college forces unity of urban and rural, and small stat and big state.
The biggest problem we have is placing the pres and vice pres on the same ticket. It used to be whoever got 2nd in the race was VP.
2006-07-06 05:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that the politician who gets the majority of the vote of the people should be elected. We should do away with electoral and let the general population decide. It is like they trust us to vote, but not to choose the President, lol. But, yeah, we live in a democracy. If we didn't, we could be arrested for stating opinions like these.
2006-07-06 05:25:58 · answer #4 · answered by The Nana of Nana's 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes America is a true Democracy, look at all the other offices not to mention the proposals in Towns, Counties and States that Voters get to vote on.
2006-07-06 05:29:42 · answer #5 · answered by MrCool1978 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I addressed this yesterday. The United States is not a Democracy at all but a Representative Republic. We elect people to represent us in congress. The president is not elected by the popular vote but is elected by the electoral college. Perhaps a refresher course in the American political process is in order but please don't depend on the public schools.
2006-07-06 05:25:28 · answer #6 · answered by Ethan M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe we are beginning to fit into the classical definition of a democracy - which is the corrupt form of the republic. Though we were founded as a representative republic in which we elect legislators to represent us, we've devolved into electing political hacks who represent the loudest and best monied interests and are largely consumed with lining their own pockets. We have demagogues who bad mouth the people who elected them for not parting with more of our money or freedom or both in order for them to collect more wealth and power. America is not quite yet a true democracy, but we're headed that way. Heaven help us!
2006-07-06 05:26:40 · answer #7 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand the difference between a democracy and a republic and I think you do too, maybe you just worded your question wrong.
My answer to what I think your question is: our system is not perfect, but we have ways to work out those imperfections, unlike other countries. I still think it is the best system on the planet for such a big nation. If there is something you don't like, you have the freedom to work for change. Isn't that great?
2006-07-06 05:34:26 · answer #8 · answered by Mandalawind 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. The true democracy existed in Ancient Greece where the word was first used, and some other ancient societies.
Take any pillar of democracy and analyze how it is working in the US, and you will see numerous violations. That is true for any other country in the world though.
2006-07-06 05:24:50 · answer #9 · answered by dmcullou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Democracies work great for electing captain of the cheerleading squad, but not for a nation of 300 million people. If you think we get low turnout for presidential elections, wait till you see the interest in the next farm subsidies bill.
2006-07-06 05:24:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋