Is democracy dead?

Question

Many Democratic countries like Britain and USA in particular, have forgotten what it means to be democratic. its all most like "you are free to do as we tell you"

We have the vote, but one devil is as bad as the other. Only the wealthy can afford to raise to power. the poor will never be heard

along with Big corporate powers dictating laws and government policy! in exchange for back handers

Answer 1

The reason the government has this power is because people gave government powers beyond its Constitutional limits because they didn't want to be responsible for themselves.

I don't understand people who think they can give the government more and more power and still retain their liberties and rights. I consider such belief a spectacular failure to have learned anything from history.

Answer 2

First, just what is your definition of democracy? Great Britain is not now nor has it ever claimed to be a "democracy". It is now a "constitutional monarchy". It is a class society, very much influenced by Socialism.
The United States is not now nor has it ever been a democracy. A democracy is "people" "rule", which has only existed on some primitive level, such as in some Indian tribes.
The United States govenment was set up as a REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT (Republican). That is why it says "public" in all those famous lines.
It would be more correct to say that both countries aforementioned are "socialistic", even "communistic", but I feel it would be more appropriate to say that the U.S. is run by barons and lords, just like in medieval Europe. There are no freedoms left, except, as you say, freedom to do as the lords dictate. We working people are the serfs. We are allowed to do anything that does not interfere with the ruling classes.
One example of this is, what happens when you speed? And what happens when doctors, politicians, police speed?
Every one should be treated the same, not according to "race, creed, color, sex, or nationaly origin" OR HOW MUCH MONEY ONE HAS.
There is no justice in this country; that is left to those who can afford a good lawyer.

Answer 3

I think we are lost to Globalization. There may be some recovery in taking America back from the corporations, but they will still have our butts over the jobs and manufacturing being available to the lowest bidder. How do you compete with that? The only way would be some sort of isolationism. The trouble there is , no funding!. So it kinda looks like future generations are screwed.

Answer 4

Democracy is very much alive. If you need some
evidence look at the way politicians swing their
votes in regards to public opinion. True, there
are special interests and on close issues they
have too much influence. However, overall
we are strong Democracy. FYI, Bill Clinton
was dirt poor and became president.

Answer 5

No it isn't dead, just not for sale at the moment. I agree with you and would suggest to you the phrase, "Money and power makes the world go 'round"

Another reason for this situation is the abundance of voter apathy in regards to elections. People always say that one is just as bad as the other, but still won't vote consistently. How does this help? It seems easier for some to not vote under the auspices that "no one is looking after my interests". Like not voting is going to get you anywhere closer to your interests. Sadly, the mainstream is slightly L.D. when it comes to monitoring their livelihood in term of candidates. We tend to vote for people for the dumbest of reasons. I swore that in elementary, that teachers would say this is not a popularity contest, choose the best candidate, which always seemed to be the most popular person in the race. So sad...so sad!

Answer 6

Democracy is not dead. It is sleeping. When people in those two great democracies wake up and take their governments back from the corporations we will, indeed, see government of the people once again. We allowed, through apathy, those corporations to take over through lobbyists and campaign contributions and we did not demand a stop to it. Now it has nearly gotten out of hand.

There is still time. Contact your representatives in Congress or Parliament and demand that lobbying stop immediately. Also demand that election reform include some provision to guard against corporate influence. But if we sit back and do nothing or say nothing we will continue to see our democracies slowly erode away. Be a pest and nag if you must but contact your reps and encourage others to do the same. They are elected to represent us but if we don't tell them how they will follow the lead of those who DO tell them what is important saying they speak for all. The choice is ours. Join me in nagging your reps and take our countries back for the people.

Answer 7

You really need to quite listening to sound bites in the main stream media and do some thinking on your own. Democracy is thriving in the world like it never has in history.

Answer 8

This country is not a democracy; it is supposed to be a representative constitutional republic. India is a democracy.

Answer 9

when more people vote for american idol than the president of the USA. yes, yes it is. people keep screaming for the moderate muslims to stand up yet moderate america is shirking its duty to this country by not voting.

Answer 10

Sorry. I am not an evil corporation AND I am quite happy.

I guess the trouble with democracy is that you don't necessarily get your every wish. Sometimes other people get their wish too.