Do you agree that democracy is dead?

Question

I would like to hear yor responses giving three reason for your answer.

Answer 1

Depends on what definition of democracy you are referring to.

As far as our form of democracy here in the USA, it is a democratic republic which basically says that the ppl are represented by an individual they vote for based on their region. This is a form of democracy.. for the ppl by the ppl.

I would say that this has failed here in the states because the politicians basically ignore what the ppl want and do whatever the heck they want to or whatever they are paid to do.

But like I said before, there are many types of democracy:

DEMOCRACY
•Popular will, Rule by the people
•Equal citizenship rights
•Social contract among the people
•Popular rule express and encourage to autonomy
•Consist of moral compromise
•Participation, election, liberties, check and balances

There are six types of democracy;
1- Schumpeterian democracy
Democracy as “ that institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of competitive struggle for people’s vote.
2- Populist democracy:Popular will are ;
•Free speech, press and assocation necessary for political freedom
•The rule of law , arbitary will of public officials
•Formal voling equality
But, democracy is general will. So, ıt can be tyranny of majority. Because, majority rather than minority.
3- Lıberal democracy: John Raws à “ a theory of justice”.
He indicates basic to idea of free and equal human beings;
•freedom of speech, press, assocation and religion
•right to property, freedom to vote,
•hold public office and arbitary arrest.
Liberal democracy critize tyrany of popular will. Therefore, ıt encourages individuals. İndividuals are rather than whole. So, liberal democracy underlines check and balances and seperation of power for liberty.
4- Participation democracy
It offers greater opportunities for citizens to participate direct in politics rather than indirect. So, it is called direct democracy which first used in encien Greece.
5- Social democracy
It tries to bring democracy in public life. Espevially, ıt considers family intercourse. For example, women and children rights in family, support family income in order to growth health children such as establishing child care center. Also, ıt gives democratic rights for workers. Workers have right to participate for decision in factory. As a result, social democracy is welfare state democracy.
6- Deliberative democracy
Deliberative democracy offers an aswer that integrates the populist and liberal ideas in order to dicuss an issue and find solution. So, ıt encourages public deliberation an issues that are best understood through open , delibarete processes. It granties that while popular will express their will, it also gives chance for minority in order to express their feelings. So, ıt prevents minority rights from the majority tyranny. Because, ıts aim is to take common decision.

Answer 2

No just badly bruised and hiding in a corner.

Ignoring for a moment that the US is more properly a democratic republic than a true democracy, I think the concept of democracy is a bit roughed up but capable of a come back.

Some 40% of the eligible population still votes. That's not good, but it's not nothing. With more active involvement, if we can get people away from reality shows and dealing with reality, we stand a chance of getting some good feedback going.

The problem with democracy (pure or as a republic) is that it's a might-makes-right mob/majority rule system. If there are more of them than there are of us, they get to make decisions for everyone. And vice versa. On top of that, many people vote based on what they've heard filtered through pundits and fourth-hand interpretations. Which rarely accurately reflect the issues.

So, it's debatable whether simply having more people voting is a good thing, if they're not voting with more forethought and insight into the issues.

All that being said, even with 40% voting, we're still approaching a 98% incumbency rate in Congress. And many in Congress spend more time and effort getting reelected than they do actually legislating. So, there are some problems with the system.

And of course, being effectively trapped into a two-party lesser-of-two-evils choice for most elections doesn't help. I think political parties are one of the worse mistakes the founders made. But campaign reform and overhauling the political system are more trouble than most people are willing to put for the effort.

So, we're stuck with a bruised and battered system that kind of limps along, trying by accident to do the right thing now and then.

And what's most frightening of all -- it's still one of the best systems in the world, even given all that.

Answer 3

Quite the opposite! Democracy is on the rise, especially in the US. The trouble is the US was designed as a democratic republic. However, now that the general public has convinced itself it can solve all social problems through legislation and income redistribution, all is lost. Freedom and liberty have fallen by the wayside, being replaced by security and equality.

Answer 4

There is no direct vote for the President. The electoral college gets the votes and paints each state red or blue. If you are red in a blue state, your vote is wasted, and vice versa for a red state.

Ordinary people can't run for the top jobs ... you have to have lots of money to be able to reach over 300 people to influence them. People with lots of money aren't likely to understand the issues facing ordinary folks.

After the election is over, the politicians do what they want anyways even if they said they will do something else. It's the same as in Canada. Our Liberal government made over 200 promises and broke almost every one of them since they came in power in 2003 ... McGuinty's nose is longer than a telephone wire as I write this.

Answer 5

shouldn't we vote on that?

no it's not dead. (1) people still vote (2) anyone can run for office (non-criminals) (3) people can remove politicians from office under extreme cases.

thus people still have power in the electoral process. no, it's not a simple democracy...it's very complex, and at times it appears the people have no control. just wait until something outstandingly bad occurs and see how the process responds.

Answer 6

As well it should be. We do not live in a democracy, never have.
This is a republic, governed by democratic rule. A true democracy, ie, one man, one vote, would never survive.

Answer 7

Yes, it has been for a long time.
1) Presidents are not chosen based on popularity (Republic)
2) G.W.B is the president (Totalitarian)
3) Christian Republicans control congress (Fascism)

Answer 8

Trick question it was never really alive.

It is just an illusion.

Answer 9

No, The U.S.