Are apathetic citizens necessary for a democratic government to be "successful"?

Question

I don't know much about government, maybe some more educated people out there can offer their opinions... It seems to me like many Americans don't vote in much beside the presidential election, and even that number is small, and it seems like the majority is ruled by the decisions of the minority? Maybe I am over simplifying all of this, let me know what you think.

Answer 1

No. Democracy works in either apathy or cooperation.

Actually, democracy at it's core is nothing more than might-makes-right majority mob rule. It's a system where whoever is more numerous gets to force their beliefs on everyone else.

The only thing stopping that is some superior legal authority. In the US (which is a democratic republic) that is the Constitution.

The problem you point about in the US arises because we are not a pure democracy, but rather a democratic republic. And the way our electoral system is written, elections are based on the majority of voter results, not the majority of people.

Our country would operate very differently if someone could only be elected President or to Congress if they won an absolute majority based on the total voting-age population, rather than just a statistical majority of whose who choose to vote.

Answer 2

I never found in the Constitution where it says "if you don't vote, you cannot voice your opinion". If someone finds it please show me where it is.

I do believe you can complain if you have a voice box or can write. This I have seen in the Constitution.

Very few know about government, even those who vote. Most people vote for the better looking candidate. Much like a beauty contest or a vote for King and Queen of the prom. The person who looks presidential most often wins against a person who does not look the part but is much more qualified.

Voting has nothing to do with education, find out who is running, look at their qualifications, their stand on things that are important to you and if they disagree with what you believe, DO NOT VOTE FOR THOSE PEOPLE. Vote for the ones who you believe will do a better job and those who agree with you. If there is a tie, use those who agree with what you believe get the vote. It is not difficult, it just takes a bit of time.

You are right, about the minority winning more elections than what the majority believe because many do not take the time to look at the world situation, listen to idiots, and vote for the better looking person. BUT, if you get out and do what you think is right at times, you win. In elections like ball games, you cannot win each and every game.

Answer 3

Apathetic citizens are what a totalitarian government thrives on. Democracy takes work and paying constant attention. By the way a democracy works everyone must participate or there is no democracy.

Answer 4

Since you admit that you don't know much about government I don't feel bad about letting you know that the United States is not and has never been a Democracy.

Answer 5

Apathy, in this case, is a concession of power from the many to the few. If the many don't care, then their opinions count for nothing, and they deserve what the few decide is best.

Answer 6

If you don't vote, you don't have a right to criticize the people in power, because you didn't consider it important enough on election day to go vote.

Answer 7

Well if you live in the US, it's a Republic not a democracy...so there is a start for your education...we don't do majority rule...that is MOB rule, and why Rome and Greece fell...

Answer 8

You can't spell apathetic without "pathetic"...