2006-09-05 12:15:45 · 10 answers · asked by joe l 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Representative democracy should ensure a few things:
a) the people's voice is heard (through over 500 representatives at the national level)
b) the people's voice is tempered by reason (again, purportedly, by over 500 representatives at the national level)
c) the local, state, regional needs & wants of the people are also addressed by local, state and regional leaders, elected (judges, water district managers, sheriffs and a host of other non-legislative offices as well) by the people, freely
The U.S. is the unquestionable state of the art in democracy. The rules are continually tested, the methods improved, the issues debated in open forums, in referendums, in town halls and debates and in the media, 24 hours a day. The American now knows more about the issues and can speak to leaders on a more level playing field than ever before. Information is there for us to absorb, decipher, process and use to make decisions, personal and public.
The U.S. achieves this on the support of a 200 year old document, that has stood the test of time, and has served over a billion people, in all likelihood. The U.S. has been fortunate to take the examples of Greek, Roman and British legal precedent and applied the most liberating and progress-enabling aspects of these systems to support the amazingly quick growth of one of the most stable and productive societies in history. If we are looking for the best example of the existing examples, the U.S. wins hands-down.
2006-09-05 12:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by rohannesian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I believe it is the best example of a form of democracy that works best. Obviously pure democracy would be a better example in a definitional sense, but our democratic republic shows how democracy can be made to work - provide freedom and stability at the same time.
2006-09-05 19:29:00 · answer #2 · answered by Eric H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree! Given that, in a democracy all the people have a voice its not suprising that no one gets heard. To be heard above the general hubub one has to shout, shout loud, and keep shouting. Naturally only extremists and nutters are prepared to do this and almost anything else to secure their lust for power and money. The US is the perfect example of democracy at its most decadent and degraded state.
2006-09-05 19:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by Old Cynic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given the behavior of the Supreme Dictators (Court) of the United States, I have my doubts that we are a democracy (or democratic-republic) at all.
2006-09-05 19:21:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can people agree??...I happened aaaaaah 2-1/2 yrs ago and 4years before that!!! Its supposed to be the Popular votes..NOT electoral votes!!Thats what this country started on...George Washington, Ben, Abe...etc...The Government is supposed to be "for the people BY thepeople" We dont have ANY of that anymore......sa as you can see DISAGREE
2006-09-05 19:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Derek L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is one of the best examples of what a democratic form of govt (whether pure democracy or democratic republic) can do, both right and wrong.
It shows how people can get together to outlaw hatred and racial bigotry, and it shows how people can together and enforce religious hatred and dogma under the guise of law.
2006-09-05 19:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
agree AND disagree.
it shows people how democracy can work for people and how it can make people rich (hence the american dream)
i als odisagree because even though were a strong democracy we seem to be unable to deterr radicals who desire to use the government to line theor own pockets (conservative repubicans and neocons).
were a good example of deomocracy but were a bad example of how to run a democracy. were still plagued with greed and mistrust.
2006-09-05 19:16:57 · answer #7 · answered by johnny_zondo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably the best example that can be had in this small world of ours :)
2006-09-05 19:20:56 · answer #8 · answered by Foo Foo Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No - not since Bush took over.
2006-09-05 19:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by strider89406 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I concur
2006-09-05 19:18:02 · answer #10 · answered by zebo007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋