I know the U.S. is a republic form of govt. It is also a Presidential form of govt. We are also a federalist nation.
But the fact is, that we live in what is called, an INDIRECT DEMOCRACY.
The Greeks had a direct democracy, in which the people held elections. The candidates with the more votes simply got elected to rule.
Our system is based on that ancient one, but far more complex. It is an indirect democracy. We elect senators and the House members to represent us. And when we vote for the president, we have the electoral college, which further separates our indirect democracy from a direct democracy.
I see the arguement used mostly by Republicans, who say that we don't live in a democracy whenever Democrats say that we do.
We do live in a democracy, as well as a republic form of govt. Please understand.
But why are many people so uneducated not to know this? It's kind of shameful to undermine our American ideals by stating that we don't live in a democracy.
2006-10-10 15:29:41 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Representative democracy is so named because the people select representatives to a governing body. Representatives may be chosen by the electorate as a whole (as in many proportional systems) or represent a particular district or constituency), with some systems using a combination of the two. Some representative democracies also incorporate some elements of direct democracy, such as referenda.
"Democracy" and "Republic"
In contemporary usage, the term "democracy" refers to a government chosen by the people, whether it is direct or representative.[23] The term "republic" has many different meanings but today often refers to a representative democracy with an elected head of state, such as a President, serving for a limited term, in contrast to states with a hereditary monarch as a the head of state, even if these states also are representative democracies with an elected head of government such as a Prime Minister.[24]
In historical usages and especially when considering the works of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the word "democracy" refers solely to direct democracy, whilst a representative democracy where representatives of the people govern in accordance with laws and usually also a constitution is referred to as a republic.[25][26] Using the term "democracy" to refer solely to direct democracy retains some popularity in United States conservative and libertarian circles.
The original framers of the United States Constitution were notably cognizant of what they perceived as a danger of majority rule in oppressing freedom and liberty of the individual. For example, James Madison, in Federalist Paper No. 10, advocates a constitutional republic over a democracy to protect the individual from the majority. [9] The framers carefully created the institutions within the Constitution and the United States Bill of Rights. They kept what they believed were the best elements of majority rule. But they were mitigated by a constitution with protections for individual liberty, a separation of powers, and a layered federal structure.
Hope that helps
2006-10-10 15:38:50 · answer #1 · answered by katjha2005 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because we don't want a government that is so complex that the average person cannot comprehend it all. All this nonsense with Electoral Votes. The people did not want Bush to be President but he is. Besides the Government has revealed itself to be corrupt anyway so what difference does it make now? Politicians have become vile and useless individuals that treat themselves like royalty while the people struggle to feed their children.
Why do politicians retire with full pay for life? What a set up!!
2006-10-10 15:43:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Democracy is mob rule.
A Democratic-Republic is orderly and preserves rights. There's enough of a distinction for "Democracy" to be incorrect, even if it is only by omission.
2006-10-10 15:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by Chris J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether or not America was ever a democracy, it is now a plutocracy. In this case, it is governed by the rich, for the benefit of the rich.
2006-10-10 15:38:56 · answer #4 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We will never live in a true democracy because the structure of society will always be: the haves will always control the have nots.
2006-10-10 15:37:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our Government is a Federal Republic. Period. I will bet you any amount of money you can come up with. If you think you are right put your money where your mouth is.
2006-10-10 15:36:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We live in a republic.
2006-10-10 15:31:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋