You can only pick one. I used to think both but now I no longer think the two go very well together.
2006-09-26 03:59:47 · 9 answers · asked by d.anconia 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Freedom.
And we aren't really a democracy. We are constitutional democracy (or a republic if you wanna get technical). A straight up democracy is just mob rules. A constitutional democracy is the majority gets to decide unless it conflicts with the constitution. And luckily in our case the constitution protects the individual liberties of the minorities.
2006-09-26 04:03:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your question is interesting. You asked what America should be founded on. However, America has already been found. It was founded on the principals of freedom. I think what you mean to ask is, what principles should the American government operate under TODAY. The answer, in my opinion, is that neither freedom nor democracy is a foolproof basis for human government. No human government in history has been 100% flawless and therefore we should not expect America to be a better place based on Freedom or Democracy. The truth is in the pudding....."man has dominated man to his injury"
2006-09-26 11:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by Herb R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not mutually exclusive. One has to sacrifice a little bit of freedom for democracy but if they must sacrifice all of it, or most of it then it is no longer a democracy. Democracy is a mutually beneficial and just scheme of social cooperation. "The advantages it yields can only be obtained if everyone, or nearly everyone, cooperates. Suppose further that cooperation requires a certain sacrifice from each person, or at least involves a certain restriction of his liberty. Under these conditions a person who has accepted the benefits of the scheme is bound by a duty of fair play to do his part..." John Rawls
2006-09-26 11:03:48 · answer #3 · answered by Eri T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good question, Freedom of course, but at what cost and how far should freedoms really go....How invasive is one man's freedom, on my own. Democracy yes but then too where is the balance. Democracy for all in all the world lowers my standard of living. I lose my good job because it's cheaper to employ where a building doesn't have four walls and are paid not per hour but for Penny's per day.
2006-09-26 11:05:26 · answer #4 · answered by battle-ax 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Then you are stupid. Freedom and democracy go hand in hand. But both are limited by law and what civilized people perceive as acceptable.
2006-09-26 11:05:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give me liberty or Give me death! Freedom would be nice. Seems like it would be. Sure would like to give it a try.
2006-09-26 11:36:08 · answer #6 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
total freedom
2006-09-26 11:07:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
FREEDOM. Otherwise, American citizens will have to face what's NEXT on the agenda!...
http://www.global-conspiracies.com/fema_concentration_camps.htm
http://www.gnn.tv/threads/9229/FEMA_DEATHCAMPS_AND_THE_RED_AND_BLUE_LIST_UNDER_MARTIAL_LAW
2006-09-26 11:15:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
FREEDOM, FRISCO!!
2006-09-26 11:20:50 · answer #9 · answered by Ren Hoek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋