Am I wrong about a democracy?

Question

Isn't a democracy suppose to have more than 2 major parties? (oh yeah independent- that makes three). I have textbooks and books from years ago and looking at books now things have been reworded. I thought a democracy was three or more parties? Oh and I also thought the people make a democracy? Is it me or does it feel like sometimes as a country we as the people are being heard?

Answer 1

The US is a democratic-republic. Our power as the electorate is limited to our vote, primarily, although we can form groups and try to lobby for change, as well.

The idea that the individual has power is not part of the makeup of our form of government, aside from the rights enumerated in the Constitution, legislated, or interpreted by the Supreme Court.

Answer 2

Actually a democracy does not require political parties at all. Every law is voted on by the entire population. The US is a representative republic, not a democracy. We choose representatives to vote on laws for us. Political parties aid us in judging how a representative will vote. We do have more than 2 parties. In this last election, we had candidates from the democrat, republican, reform, green, and socialist parties, (I may have missed some) though not all states or offices had candidates from each of these.

Answer 3

If you're referring to the United States of America, you must first understand that the U.S.A. is a republic, not a democracy. A democracy is a nation ruled by the people; a republic is a nation ruled by those representatives elected by the people.
The two-party political system has been corrupted by the Democrats and Republicans to the point that there is actually only one political party anymore. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have prostituted themselves, becoming the slaves of big business and special interests instead of servants of the people who elect them.
This has resulted in a stranglehold on our voting rights. Today, Americans don't really have a vote. "Votes" are measured in dollars, and a popular vote means nothing (as was witnessed in the Bush-Gore contest in 2000). In 1992, H. Ross Perot won 19% of the popular vote as a third-party independent. His showing scared the beJesus out of politicians, and they quickly managed to keep that from happening again. Yes, it feels very much like "we the people" are NOT being heard.......because we're not. Even in the recent mid-term elections, politicians will not listen to the strong message "we the people" sent: for the next two years, expect nothing but bickering and gridlock as Democrats and Republicans refuse to agree on anything, and behave like spoiled little squabbling children. -RKO-

Answer 4

I would define a democracy as 1) Free speech and debate 2) Regular, frequent and fair elections 3) Widespread right to vote

The number of political parties or political views really doesn't come into the picture for me.

Answer 5

There is a philosophical democracy, a true democracy and then the way that it is in America which is known as a Representative Democracy.

Answer 6

Actually there are about 50-60 political parties according to politics1.com.

There are two parties in this nation, because the other parties tend to extreme for most Americans, or are 1 issue.

IF a 3rd party came along that was moderate, it would have a chance. Ross Perot's reform party had a chance, then it was hijacked by the extreme right wing.

Answer 7

Yes, you're wrong. Independent is not a party. America is a republic, not a democracy(we vote for people who vote for us)

Answer 8

Face it! This country is not a democracy. My state voted to ban affirmative action, by over 70%, and now some people are taking this to court to re-affirm it. WTF??? The people have spoken to get rid of it.

I guess ppl don't know what democracy is anymore

Answer 9

We say democracy like a slang word, we are a republic.

Answer 10

Yes you are wrong.