Why is democracy the best political system?

Question

(If it is)

Answer 1

It's not. In the philosophical terms, Democracy is one of the worst forms of government, followed by Oligarchy and Dictatorship. Aristotle once saw it as, "The rule of the majority." Or in other words, just one step above anarchy. However, when you take democracy and include laws protecting the minority, then it becomes a liberal democracy. It's better, but not the best. Once you have education in the mess, it becomes the best form of government.

Technically, a monarchy is the best form of government. This is evident in Draco's rule over Athens. While he did not consult the Senate, what he did was good for Athens. Therefore, the athenian people experienced a golden age. Due to the fact that one highly educated person is better than a population of uneducated, that one person can make better decisions.

Which is the problem with Liberal Democracy. When it goes into the hands of the uneducated, bad things happen. For instance, Andrew Jackson effectivly pushed back our economy by 50(or so), years in his effort to break the national bank. Who voted him into office? The common people.

Democracy's greatest weakness is in the form of education. If you taint that, then it becomes the worst form of government.

"The tyranny of the majority."
-Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Answer 2

All governments are terrible. Democracy is just the least terrible.

But I still think that that makes democracy the best one. I think it is because it fits best with humnakind's natural inclinations without creating anarchy through the ingenious cheques and balances organization of government. It allows freedoms- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness/property. These rights are as teh US founding fathers noted, inalienable, they are within everyone and it should be fit that they are protected.

Democracy fits well with capitalism which I think many many people prefer. The idea that if one works hard they can rise up and achieve a stable, comfortable life for themselves and their family is appealing to most people.

There are many shades of democracy as well, I think that this allows for a great diversity in government; it also allows democracy to be adaptable to fit different cultures and values. Naturally there is a limit, I would hardly call the PRC despite claiming republican roots, a democracy. I am thinking more of Western Europe. The countries that lie between Norway and Italy are all quite different but they have some very similar guiding principles. One reason for the formation of the EU is because of the agreement on these guiding prinicples and a belief in democracy and liberty and freedoms.

Answer 3

Before I answer i'd just want to say that I am not one of those people who believes that it works in every situation nor do I believe the others are just irrelevant. I think communism for example is very noble a goal.

As for democracy I believe its' one of the best if not is the best because it works the most efficiently when it comes to individuals reaching their full potential.

In democracy everyone is essentially equal until unified in groups that is when power tends to widen but still that is due only to the power of the individuals coming together. (Whether for good or bad thats another issue).

I feel the other systems suppress individuality to the point where living in them hampers you as a person. The systems purposely set limits. For instance in a dictatorship individualism is zapped from ever rising to be that dictator because there is only one way to be that person and thats either through might, or appointment by the dictator or governing body.

Thats my answer.

Answer 4

Democravy isn't the best political system and i glad the USA is a Repulblic and not a democracy because all democracies have failed and no longer exist

Answer 5

There are flaws with democracy, the most potent one being politics. For example, politicians model their opinions on what'll get them the most votes, not what'll be best for the country. An unelected leader wouldn't have to worry about that. I suppose that's why the house of Lords is so important these days, it stops politicians doing stupid things. It's become very ironic that an unelected house is the only thing preventing the commons going barmy.

Although, at least with democracy if a leader's rubbish you can get him out at the next election.

Answer 6

democracy? where? democracy has nothing to do with voting. you can have a perfectly democractic society that doesnt vote. or a society that claims to be democratic 'because' it votes, but really isnt.

the essence of true democracy, in it's creators eyes and the greeks who philosophized about it, is not elected dicatorship or untouchable oligarchs. in a real democracy everyone would have an equal amount of sway over the direction of the system, which i don't see in any country on the planet right now.

here, lobby groups and big donors to political campaigns have far more sway over the laws and decision elected 'representatives' pursue. the individual voter means very little in the face of this.

this doesnt even take into account the fact that people perpetually vote in 'representatives' who go back on their word and promises, and do the exact opposite of what they said they would do, in order to get voted in.

nor does it consider the proportionate amount of sway the marketing campaigns of individuals will have over the populace directly related to how much money they have to spend on advertising. i.e. adolf hitler with 30 million dollars in ad campaigns will get elected, martin luther king with 25 dollars, will not.

in any other occupation, someone who promised to do a specific task upon being hired and did the exact opposite would be subject to summary dismissal, no questions asked. here we let them give themselves raises every year and extend their vacation time.

in modern history, the only true democratic societies are small scale experiments that do not occur on the nation state level, the construct of governmental levels of authority is counter-productive to the establishment of freedom and democracy.

i suggest studying the spanish civil war for examples of small scale democracies as well as small scale libertarian socialism.

but, i admit my bias. im not ignorant enough to claim that i am 'a realist' (when everyone is biased and the claim of realism is an admittance of ignorance) and can only say that i apporach my bias with the best interests of the individual's freedoms and rights and equalities at heart. electing rulers does not make a democracy.

Answer 7

dont know that it is, dont know anycountry that has real democracy......what passes for democracy in the us is a capotalistic society... it works well enough over here because most anericans are educated and have opportunities to "advance"... in a poor nation where people are largly unaducated the weak would get swallowed up by the riych educated folk... they are probably better under a socialistic society. even in the usa we have mass amounts of social programs and heaps of government workers [ working wealfare] to keep things going...the right combination of communism , democracy and capatolism is probably best .. the answer to almost all problems lies somewhere inbetween.

Answer 8

I think we in the West take it for granted that democracy is the best system, regardless of the circumstance. The greatness of the Democratic process is predicated on the quality and education of its constituency. A population that is backward and mired in ignorance can fashion a society, through the democratic process, that is as brutal and tyrannical as many fascist nations can be.

Answer 9

Democracy works when individuals take responsibility for their behaviour.
In all other political systems, individuals are prevented from taking responsibility or having any political input, because other systems are all about control.

Answer 10

Democracy has it's pitfalls too but it's the best system out there so far till something better comes along.