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All I hear is we live in a Democracy, which is Majority Rule (mob rule) A Democratic Republic on the other hand is where our Senators and Representatives are sworn to protect the Minority form the Majority. In the pledge of Allegiance we say “in the Republic for which it stands”. Why does all everyone say we live in a Democracy and not a Democratic Republic? In a Democracy if 60% of the people want to steal from the 40% minority that would be ok and that’s why all Democracies are destine to fail.

2006-07-13 06:54:18 · 5 answers · asked by RJ 3 in Politics & Government Government

5 answers

You're splitting hairs.

We all know it's a democratic republic but the concept is that the outcome is a democracy. The politicians that we elect to represent us are elected based on the majority vote of their region.

Why is it so hard to understand that this is a democracy based on a regional structure instead of a country as a whole? Get it?

Now if you want to talk about a pure democracy that is basically the definition of true communism. That is where votes are based or taken of the whole without representatives; although, communist regimes do assign government members to control the community pool.

I find it funny actually in this country when I talk to some rightwing ppl that say gay marriage shouldn't be allowed because the 'majority' doesn't believe in it. They are all the time talking about the 'majority'.. basically they want communist control where the majority always overpowers the minority. They don't even realize this.

2006-07-13 06:58:17 · answer #1 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 5 3

A democracy is "one man one vote"
A republic is representatives of the people vote on the people's behalf

The problem with a true democracy is getting enough people, in a country our size, informed enough (or caring enough) to be able to get a vote. So it true democracy would not be practical.

In a republic, there is the issue of deciding who represents the people? In some societies, it was the land owners, and the poor serfs in his estate had no voice. In England, one of the two houses of Congress is not elected. It is made up of the people who have "titles", passed down from generation to generation. So finding a way to choose the representatives in the US, where there were no titles, and everyone had the right of property was an issue. (At one time senators were appointed by the state governors, but that was changed)

The finaly results that we have today is a democratic republic in which the "one man" with his "one vote" elects the people who represent him in the government.

Since the government is a combination of both ideas, it can be fairly referred to as either a republic or a democracy. This we pledge alligence to a republic, but export democracy to the world.

2006-07-13 07:09:30 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0 0

You are correct, we live in a Democratic Republic or a Representative Democracy. A true democracy (a direct democracy) would be virtually impossible for the reasons you stated unless tweaks were made. Many have talked about e-democracy (using those with computers to make decisions), but it would be quite hard to give everyone in America a computer. Town hall meetings are a quasi-direct democracy, in that anyone can come and state their views and vote on important matters. However, it seems the only way to have a real direct democracy would be the Greek way -- through small independent city-states with rights for all (non-slave males) already protected.

2006-07-13 07:01:30 · answer #3 · answered by democratsforgore 2 · 0 0

When the Republicans are in office, its more like a Republic. But then again those who vote that way like it.

2006-07-13 06:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by divochka79 3 · 1 0

our actual factual current form of government is authoritarian corporate oligarchy. Your vote has been hacked, so any claim we had to being democratic has become ancient history.

2006-07-13 07:27:32 · answer #5 · answered by kucitizenx 4 · 1 0

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