is democracy the best form of government?

Question

if not, than what (if any) is?

Answer 1

I think it was Winston Churchill who said something like

"...It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

In other words, yes, it is the best form of government, according to WC and me.

Answer 2

Democracy only works if each and every citizen takes part. If they do not, then Democracy fails. We, the United States (contrary to popular belief) do not have a Democracy, we have a Republic. That is, we elect people to make decisions on our behalf for one reason or another, whether it be that we do not fully understand the issues, we do not care, or we do not have the time to focus on government.

I would have to say that Socialism with elements of a Republic seems to be the best system, mostly because it evens the playing field and prevents anyone from being extremely poor (or extremely rich for that matter). Because healthcare is such a concern and everyone has equal opportunity to access this type of service in this system, there is more of a sense of community and less competition to stay alive.

When I say elements of a Republic, I mean that leaders would be brought forth by election of the citizens and terms would be limited. This would prevent Dictatorship (such as Franco in Spain) and would give the people a chance to change what they don't like about the government.

Of course there are many more pros and cons and I could go on and on about this, but I only get 2 points for answering so I'm limiting it as much as I can.

Answer 3

No, democracy is not the best form of government, but representive republic, like what the U.S. has, is. True democracy would require EVERY single person in the country/state/city to vote on EVERY single thing, even the small things. Also in a true dmocracy there is an expression of the "mob rules". So if you are in a minority you wouldnt get a say, proboly.

Answer 4

I'm so glad that someone quoted Churchill. That says it bang on.

Here's are two of my favorite quotes (no where near as well known) about democracy:

"[T]he argument for democracy is moral and prudential, not aesthetic. It is that, in the long run, democratic governments are best at taming power and giving people what they deserve, which includes the elevating experience of exercising sovereignty." -- George F. Will, "Suddenly," published 1990.

"It is said that we are worn down less by the mountains we must climb than by the grain of sand in our shoes. The many irritants of our individual lives and of our political life often loom larger than the mountain we are climbing together, as a people, as we make democracy work." -- also George F. Will, "The New Season," published 1987.

Answer 5

Democracy is not always the best form of government for the people
Democracy requires that people be educated and involved in their government

Answer 6

Democracy has its problems which we dont seem able to solve but it is better than the alternatives that have been tried and failed. Left or Right extremes are dictatorships without freedom.

Answer 7

No!

We aren't a democracy, we are a Representative Republic!

If we were a Democracy Bush would have never been in the white house!

Answer 8

Yes democracy is the best form of governenent.

Answer 9

I don't know. If America actually WAS a democracy, I could probably tell you how I felt about it.

Answer 10

It's the worst except for every other form that has ever been tried.