with over 1 billion catholics and with over 1 billion chinese, which leader is more openly and democratically elected ?
2007-08-27 12:21:41 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Neither are elected in the democratic sense seeing the vast majority of the people they represent have no say. Both are elected in an oligarchical fashion with a few elites making the choice.
2007-08-27 12:48:52 · answer #1 · answered by The Stylish One 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither.
The sitting Pope (and his predecessors) choose the members of the College of Cardinals. While the Pope does discuss the appointments with lower ranking officials in the Vatican, the final decision rests with him. When the Pope dies, the only eligible voters are the members of the College of Cardinals who are less than 80 years old. However, the 100 or so members do have complete freedom in deciding who to elect as Pope, but the voting is done entirely in secret.
Likewise, while the election of the President of China is theoretically democratic, the choice is essentially made by the top leadership of the Party. Since I have never sat in on those discussions, I am unable to say how many people truly have an input into those decisions.
2007-08-27 19:30:26 · answer #2 · answered by Tmess2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither the Kingdom of God nor the Catholic Church are democracies.
The Pope is selected through inspiration from the Holy Spirit. We freely acknowledge that God knows what is best for the Church.
A Papal Conclave works like this:
+ A pope dies and is buried
+ The cardinals come to Rome for the conclave that will elect the new pope. The word conclave (Latin, *** + clavis, literally, "locked with the key") designates:
. • The place in a locked section of the Vatican where the cardinals elect a new pope.
. • The actual gathering of the cardinals.
+ The conclave begins 15 to 20 days after the pope's death.
+ The cardinals pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during a Mass
+ The cardinals, sealed in the Sistine Chapel, vote every morning and afternoon.
+ A two-thirds majority plus one is required for election for the first 30 ballots. After that, a simple majority is required.
+ After each vote, they burn the ballots and add special chemicals to make the smoke white or black.
. • Black smoke means no new pope yet.
. • White smoke announces the election of a new pope.
+ The cardinals may elect any baptized male they wish. There have been occasions in the past where they have elected a layman. After their election, the layman has to be ordained priest and bishop.
+ They ask the one elected if he accepts. The moment he accepts, he is pope.
+ The pope chooses his “Papal” name.
+ Then the new pope is announced to the world.
For more information, see:
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/johnpaulii/transition/PapalConclaveCU.asp
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/JohnPaulII/transition/CNS.asp
With love in Christ.
2007-08-27 23:00:47 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Chinese leader, by a slight edge. The pope is elected by the college of cardinals who number by a few hundreds. The Chinese leader is elected by the People's Congress, numbering by a few thousands.
2007-08-27 19:30:48 · answer #4 · answered by Y S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Pope is not elected, the oldest person is appointed by the Cardinals because of his length of experience. So I guess that leaves China which is not Democratic either
2007-08-27 19:25:49 · answer #5 · answered by t. 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Neither one is democratically elected by their people- The Pope is chosen by the Cardinals, and the Chinese President is chosen by his political party. You might as well ask "Which color is bluer: Red, or Yellow?
2007-08-27 19:26:02 · answer #6 · answered by Beardog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems like beardog beat me to pointing out the flaws in your argument. The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals who are elected by, er no-one!
2007-08-27 19:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by politicsguy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Catholic but even I know that the Pope isn't elected! He is appointed.
2007-08-27 19:26:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pope is chosen by the cardinals not elected.
2007-08-27 19:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by ken s 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm going with the Chinese dude. Where can I get some free prison labor besides China?
2007-08-27 19:25:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋