What is the role of Government in a Democracy?

Question

Are the government simply public servants put in place by the people to run the country in a way that people want?

Should the government distribute taxes to provide for the populace (housing, healthcare, public transport, income support for those who can't earn enough)?

Does the government have the right to impose unpopular laws on the populace?

Do political ideology and democracy work together, or does this marriage result in politicians being more concerned about furthering their own ideals rather than doing what is best for the people?

Should people who subscribe to a political ideology be allowed to hold office?

RE: distribution of taxes....................
I'm aware monies are set aside for these egalitarian pursuits, but what is your opinion on it? Should there be more made available, or do you feel that this is not an area for which the government should have less responsibility? Sorry if I didn't make myself clear the first time around. Please voice your opinions, whatever they may be.

sorry... mistake above with a double negative. I meant: "should the government have less responsibility for distributing welfare". I was trying to be too wordy and ended up looking like a dunce. Ooops.

Answer 1

lets have a stab:

Role of government is to represent the views of the majority in the running of the country (rememeber, the government is the party that has the majority, people often get gov confused with parliament)

In an ideal world, yes 'the government simply public servants put in place by the people to run the country in a way that people want' In the real world no. Lies/ extravagent pledges/ unfulfillable promises/ 'ear-candy' distort the actual views of hte party, so you dont really know if you are voting for who best represents your views. Look at the tories. They've completely changed their image, and are now about as left wing as labour and the lib dems. A whole party doesnt just change its views on society with a new leader like that. They've seen that the policitcal spectrum is shifting left, and thought, eh if we're going to get back in power we've got to move along with this trend.

THe government do distribute taxes as you mentioned. The problem is that this government is incapable of finding a good balance. They give too much to those that dont need it (my friends 19, she has 2 kids now and is living off the money she gets from the government for them) well excuse me, but since when has this country been under populated and people being NEEDING encouragement to clutter it even further.

Yes they do, Unfortunately they wont because they are more concerned about their image and re election than doing a public good. Although got to say labour bannign smoking indoors, they got some respect off me for that. They knew it would be unpopular, but they went through with it. Thats what i'd like to see politicians do, stick to their guns. The tories havent. But i see what youre saying, if the government is suppossed to represent the view of society, if these views are truely represented then there wont be any unpopular laws.

Got to be honest im not sure about this one.

Answer 2

thats a lot of questions, there job is supposed to be to do what the public want them to, to make life better for them, as were the ones that put them in power, but it don't always work that way.

They don't have the right to impose unpopular laws, but theres nothing we can do until the next election, where if the law was that bad we'd probably get rid of the governement for someone else

everyone has some sort of political ideology just got to find some way of furthering their own ideals and doing whats best for the people, something a lot of politicians struggle to do

in short a democratic government has a bloody difficult job because they can never please the entire population, just got to represent as much of it as possible

Answer 3

oooo so many questions.
Democracy, government by the people, works well in small societies where everyone gets to vote about everything. Once it gets too big for that we elect someone to speak for us.
Sadly they rarely do; no politician ever asked me my opinion on anything but I have written to one or two.

Ethically imposing unpopular laws depends on your position; 'the greater good' may support somethings like murder being unlawful but not helmets for motorbike riders.

I guess, because its rare to be able to get to know the people standing for election, belonging to a party lets you know what they believe in, or at least what they say they believe in so you have something on which to build an opinion if they are like you or not.

Answer 4

Nice idea but the civil servants run the country politcians just like to think they do. As for people who subscribe to political ideology holding office - ask Adolf !!!!!!

Answer 5

You seem to be under the illusion that modern politicians have ideals.
Most of them are simply lazy, untrustworthy, under-achievers who simply could not compete outside of politics.
Increasing their own fame and financial prospects is the primary goal of most modern sleazebags.
I agree with Tony Benn who says that Tony Blair has ensured that we now live in an elected dictatorship.

Answer 6

to create fear within the population so that they can do whatever they want and we will all back them
its allways been this way
create a bad guy
say you are against him
make him look really bad
make him look even worse
make up lies about him to make him look really really bad
declare war on the bad guy
watch em come running to you because they are scared of the bad guy
now you are in control

Answer 7

A democracy is a state wherein the people hold all the power.
A republic is a state wherein the people elected representatives to govern for them.

Answer 8

This, my friend, is a very,very good question. You should be given a Gold Star for asking it ! I take my hat off to you and await answers eagerly !

Answer 9

whos a democracy

Answer 10

Pheww..

sorry mate i'm too thick.