In brief, a "democracy" is a society in which the people govern the people. Of course, there are many technicalities and details, but all in all, the purspose of a democracy is to uphold the voice of the people.
Many Americans seem to forget the US is but a babe compared to ancient societies. A mere two centuries is a dream in the night in the eyes of history. In only two centures, the US has faced such problems as crime, segregation, abortion, and religious-rights. These problems are decades old, and show no sign of diminishing.
How long can a democracy last without some intervention from the goverment? Can a democracy last a millenium or longer? Will America, in the long run, prove Democracy is superior, or will she only prove a Dictatorship or Communism is more efficient?
2006-07-06 07:19:51 · 4 answers · asked by man_id_unknown 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
History demonstrates that it cannot. Freedom and democracy tend to lead to licentiousness. Licentiousness leads to decadence which breeds tyrants. Tyranny leads to slavery which created men(I use that generally not specific to males) of principle who create rebellion. Rebellion can lead many directions but if the men of principle rise to power then it will lead to a representative form of government. If not, the cycle usually folds back in to the tyranny (French revolution as case in point) or falls into anarchy for a period.
Many of the founders knew this. That is why Benjamin Franklin told a woman who inquired as to what form of government they had given us: "A Republic, if you can keep it".
2006-07-06 07:32:18 · answer #1 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 6⤊ 4⤋
I think that you do have some points on this subject, however there are more against it. So far you are right, that the american democracy hasn't nearly lasted as long as many other cizilations in time, and that they were once more powerful and long lasting as well. However, when you ask the question if a communist party or dictatorship would last longer, you also got to look at history, not necessarly human personailties. For example, the american democracy has lasted about 230 years, through the last two centuries. But the histroy of the last two centuries has also shown weaknesses in other goverment tactics. For example, the USSR. THe Soviet Union was once the most powerful nation, but it fell in less than 100 years. HUM? I wonder which one works better???
I think you still have a point though, however if the nation's democracy starts to fail the people, the goverment will have plenty of time to change.
2006-07-06 14:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to know where Elwar is finding slaves in the U.S. these days.....slavery ended my friend. Move on.
Yes, a democracy can last forever as long as the people are vigilant. We have three branches of government which so far show no signs of breaking down. When the courts rule on something and it is clear they are in the wrong i.e. the recent eminent domain case....congress steps in to correct the problem...at the request of the land owners and outraged citizens. Our system of checks and balances may tip too far one way at one point in time but it always gets counter weighted back.
I do believe democracy can withstand time. The dangers that lie out there waiting to bring us down are greed, selfishness and despotism. Should the people elect a leader (republican or democrat or anything in between or Ross Perot) that falls to greed or selfishness...then we are doomed. The people deserve the leader they vote for---so the best way to defend democracy for all time is to have an informed voter base. Even if it's a small percentage of the people voting.
2006-07-06 14:38:32 · answer #3 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America is not a Democracy, it is a Republic.
And a Democracy cannot last long. Ask the slaves how they like the majority making the laws over the minority.
2006-07-06 14:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by e1war 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋