Is democracy really good?

Question

Even Plato critisized democracy saying that it places too much power into the hands of the unwise. Think about it, if you research canditates for months before voting, it doesn't matter because other people's idiodic votes will over shadow yours. Someone might vote for a candidate because he / she is good looking. People like those will overshadow your hard researched findings.

Answer 1

Well, it's more than a democracy - it's a republic. Mob rule is a bad thing, but theoretically we have checks and balances that are supposed keep a "tyrannical" branch in check. And that doesn't necessarily mean we have to vote in half democrat, half republican - Each branch is responsible for itself, and each individual is to have his own conscience on a matter. My answer is more from a christian perspective, since that's how i was raised, and it's now what i believe - you can't have a benevolent goverment without benevolent, moral leaders - moral doesn't mean "whoever has the most votes is right"... it means what ever is principally right based on basic moral values that uphold life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. You don't have to be christian to believe that, but you do have to have basic morals to lead a country. Doesn't matter if it's the US, China, Europe - if you're hell bent on murder and masocism, your country will fall apart. If you take away life, you lose your people's support. If you take away liberty to choose to do what is right, you lose support. If you take away happiness, no one will live in your country. So a republic with morally just leaders should theoretically be the best form of government.

Answer 2

First, like 90+% of this country, you are mistaking our form of government with a democracy. There are no candidates in a democracy. The people ARE the congress. We have a Republic. That means the government is run by representatives. Most precisely we have a democratic republic. The representatives are democratically elected. Plato preferred a republic but not a democratic republic.Unfortunately, both a democratic republic and a pure democracy require an educated public.

Answer 3

Democracy depends on the vigilance of the mass to be strong. Unless people try and voice their opinions and really look into the potential of candidates they take away from the strength of the union. Letting others made decisions becomes too easy and soon there are no longer options to choose. People really need to do their duty and participate in elections and campaigns from the grass roots to the top.

Answer 4

Democracy works staggering societies that fee individuality like ours. which does not make it the staggering. In cultures that fee nationalism (china), communism works staggering. In societies that fee spirituality (iran) theocracy works staggering (even if iran is kinda undesirable at it). the purely authentic democracy interior the international is Switzerland, the position regulations are handed even as a petition for a particular regulation constructive factors X quantity of signatures. for sure, in small international places like switzerland, it particularly works splendidly. even if in a huge united states of 1000's of tens of millions of people, like the U. S., democracy is ineffective and undecisive. regrettably a democratic republic is the staggering equipment we've arise with thus far. nevertheless more beneficial effectual than a dictatorship. Communism is more beneficial effective in theory, disasterous in practice. And particularly a lot another type of authorities is a dictatorship in a unmarried type or yet another.

Answer 5

Actually we can expand on your question. Is Socialism, Communism etc. good? If you study these different societies then on paper they sound good. Why do NONE seem to work? Greed. This has been the downfall of every one and Democracy will be no different. When Political Leaders choose their personal welfare (More Money) over that of all the people, each of these societies fail to meet their intend expectations. A little money under the table can do a lot for those concerned, but, it Destroys these societies as a whole.

Answer 6

Lets get to understand what democracy is.

It was designed to get people elected that will represent the population on matters of importance to their lives, their futures, their families, and their country.

In theory, it's a fine idea.

However, it changes, like so many things in life, they tend to make subtle changes that take away from what they were intended to do.

As democracy evolved to what it is in this new and strange century, those elected to represent the common people are actually representing the interests of those who feed them.

Since none of us can afford to get somebody elected to office that will vote for all our needs, the ones being taken care of by our elected officials are those people few know but have enormous wealth and hand over large donations to both political parties to keep the show going.

So, it's now a democracy of the priveldged few getting everything handed over to them, and the vast majority, like those writing on Yahoo Answers, must be cramped into tight living quarters, drive around in small and dangerous automobiles, and are being forced to shell out big bucks for gasoline.

All this (and more, lots more) came about because the people no longer count like they should.

One Man(woman) one vote. Equality.

Yeah.

Answer 7

Move to Cuba, live there for one year, and then answer that question. Why research a candidate do you research dog s**t before stepping in it? Democracy is a luxury that americans quit caring about so instead of honest people who have to prove themselves running for office, crooked, lying pigs run for office and win because no one votes. That is why our country is in the ninth circle of hell now.

Answer 8

With all it's perceived faults, It still beats the alternative. Only people who think they should make the decisions for everyone else believe that any other way is better. There has yet to be a better way to rule people than to let them have a say.

Answer 9

better democracy than anything else. in theory communism is a really good idea, but whoever is in power would be corrupted, so having a democracy is the only sensible solution. if one idiot is elected, hopefully there are enough good people to do what they are supposed to do.

Answer 10

Sure, democracy has its shortcomings. But is it actually more wise to allow whoever can get the most military power (and/or assassinate the right people) to rule?