can you help with an easy question?

Question

what does this quote mean (it is by Rousseau) "There has never been a true democracy and there never will.” if you dont get it at all just write what it menas to you

Answer 1

Quite simple, really. Democracy is the people excercising self rule. This requires integrity, forethought of one's fellows, honesty, dilligence, and effort for the common good. The world has never seen such a people so dedicated selflessly to that end in a clear and decent conscience and never will. Don't be impressed that Rousseau said it. It's just common sense. The Israelites were such a people before they asked for a king. True, a Theocracy, but it was quite free with few requirements and those for the benefit of the people. Someone once said; " Freedom means responsibility, that's why most men dread it. " We fear the unknown so we leave it to a King, President, or impersonal government. Look at the Russians now pining for the old days. No one takes the initiative nor is there a voiced consensus. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

A democracy that is one person = 1 vote doesn't exist. In the US we have a representative who casts our collective votes. So, what Rousseau meant is that a TRUE democracy isn't anywhere. I think our system is based upon the problems with vote tallying early in our history. Too difficult to transport, then accurately count all those votes, and probably via horseback. Today it is BS, we SHOULD have a true democracy. Easy in an electronic age, but the power that be benefit from this system.

Answer 3

A true democracy would represent ALL of the people under it all of the time, but that can't happen unless the democracy only has a single person. Since people have different interest then you can't cater to them all equally because there is bound to be some conflict between the interest.

Answer 4

Rousseau believed that society should be reorganized into communities in which all persons would be completely controlled. He outlined his theory of democracy that would use training, guidance and propaganda, censorship and reduction of privacy and control ideas. He wanted a simple agricultural society in which people's desires could be limited, their sexual and ego drives controlled and their energies directed toward community life. His ideas influenced Robespierre, a leader of the French Revolution, and socialists and communists of the 1800's and 1900's. He never believed in a democracy as we have today. He never thought it would work in a society, and felt communism was the only way of life.

Answer 5

The truth is:

If we take the term in the strict sense, there never has been a real democracy, and there never will be. It is against the natural order for the many to govern and the few to be governed. It is unimaginable that the people should remain continually assembled to devote their time to public affairs, and it is clear that they cannot set up commissions for that purpose without the form of administration being changed.

Answer 6

I think what its trying to say is that there will never be a true democracy because of injustice and coruption.A true democracy would be without faults.

Answer 7

To me it means that while we can say we are living in a democratic society we will always be under government control. Sure we have free speech and free will, but to what extent? A true democratic society would solely be one for the people and made up of the people. Thats my opinion on that quote anyways

Answer 8

To me, democracy means that the People rule. In reality, the people don't rule. They elect one person to rule, and he rules as he sees fit.

Answer 9

That there will never be true democracy?...im really not sure..sorry

Answer 10

the powerful will not allow true democracy, Athens was close.