In a democracy, do we really get the Government we deserve?

Question

It is an old adage that people only get the Government they deserve. But in a democracy sometimes you have to put up with what everyone else wants even though it is not what you want. Does that mean that you are out of step with most other people? Or is democracy just a big con? Is it out of our hands and just a big scam?

Just to clear something up - I am Australian. I asked this out of interest. I would just like to get some thoughts on this.

Answer 1

If you vote for a political party which gets the majority of votes then of course you get the government you deserve but if you vote for the losing side then, because we live in a democracy, you have to live with it. Where would democracy be if you didn't and where is the viable alternative to democracy?
There is nothing wrong with democracy. The problem is people who are influenced by spin and propaganda put out by the different parties and politicians who struggle with truth.
Over the last 11 years we have seen people vote for a government simply because they think they will protect them from a few refugees while at the same time forgiving them for introducing another tax,(GST) even though they swore blind before the election that they would never do it. This in effect was a spreading of tax from the wealthy to even the poorest of us. In my opinion gullibility and complete lack of understanding or interest are the problems with democracy.

Answer 2

It seems a lot of the American contributors have not read your question correctly by talking only about the USA, where you are an Australian and was asking about Democracy in General.

Yes, I feel we do get the government we deserve, but not always want.

In the US where the greater majority of people do not vote naturally they are going to get only rich idiots running the government because they are the only people who can afford to stand, and the population are apathetic by not exercising their right to vote. In any case, both parties have nearly the same Right-wing policies.

In Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Canada where voting is compulsary (or at least turning up at the pooling booth and having your name ticked off) the people have to think about who they wish to vote for. They also have a greater choice of parties to choose from with a much wider selection of policies. In Australia, in the last two Federal elections, the majority voted for the ALP, but for some reason the Liberal-National Party coalition gained the seats in both houses of parliament. Let us hope they do not at the upcomming election

Answer 3

Unfortunately, democracy truly has become a facade of the rich and powerful to make it seem like the average person has freedom. It does not matter how many votes we cast; in the end its who has the money and buys their candidate (for all practical purposes). You will never see an average Joe run for president and win, simply because he does not have the money or influence to run against the big ones. Major change needs to take place to get this country back on track, because hard times are coming soon and we need to be prepared for them.

Answer 4

. We both know that the Blue Rinse Set will vote for Libs. They are being HIP in their 70's. Johnny sort of fits in with them and they love the little man. Be he a sex object is yet to be decided. The man has no talent nor policies. Guess Aussies are silly when they vote. I wonder if I will lose my mind as they do on Election Day? NO WAY!!!!

Answer 5

Deserve here means for the majority,who elects the party to form a government.As of today,democracy is the best form of a government,in spite of all the shortcomings in it.If you can suggest some thing better,we shall be grateful.

Answer 6

Not if GOP goons can derail an election, foment a right wing non military coup and get an unqualified and incompetant
moron crowned president by the Supreme Court.
Somtimes authoritarian neocons steal elections and use their access to staffing the legal departments of federal agencies with right wing idiologue judges and directors - all aimed towards creating a permanent GOP one party state.
We don't deserve the Cheney Bush administration.

Answer 7

This united states of america did no longer need to have the ideal court docket hand down a ruling that forestalls us from looking out who particularly gained an election, and that ruling grew to become into the proverbial very final straw for me in terms of convincing me that I won't pass right into a balloting sales area lower back for an quite long term, .... if in any respect. it particularly is my version of voter apathy. Blame it on the ideal court docket and all of their corrupt rulings.

Answer 8

absolutely, but there is definitely a price to pay. franklin said it best, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. if you, as the electorate thought, think there is a quick fix to a problem like al qaeda and dont consider all the vairables, you get a government like the pelosi/reid regime, promising alot and delivering little. the point is, your word deserve was spot on. we, as americans, have to raise our game and teach the out of control liberal extremists there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Answer 9

If you want proper democracy you have to look back to history,IE., the Greeks, they invented democracy.
Modern democracy is totally distorted to suit the upper classes.
Us, the workers get sh?t on as always.

Answer 10

Yes, you get what you deserve. By staying home and whining and not voting you get exactly what you deserve.

The Law of Large Numbers dictates. You as an individual might not like a given situation or result, but there are a great many more who do.

By the way, the pork-barrel Alaskan "Bridge to Nowhere" was finally officially killed last week after the Alaskan governor killed the project and ordered it abandoned. The outrage against this sort of wasteful spending eventually brought about its end. This one event is an example of democracy in action.