America, are we truly a democracy?

Question

Are we a democracy? We say we spread it, but is the goverment we are a part of a democracy?

I say no, a democracy gives more power to the people, were a republic, if we were a democracy, the votes we give every 4 years for president would mean something, not jsut be a popularity contest that means jack.

What are your views, are we a democracy, a republic, what are your views on this topic?
*I'm a history and geography major with some politics majoring, and im 14, i just know this anyways*

Answer 1

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic.

Answer 2

No, America is not a true democracy - true democracy was practiced by the ancient greeks where everyone in a city would go and cast a vote on an important issue.

Obviously this would be impossible for a country with over 300 Million Citizens so what we are is an "Inderect" or a "Representive Democracy". In that we elect officials who we feel we agree with and then they vote on the important issues.

And I don`t know where this idea about the pesidential election not being important came from.

The presidential election has had more effects for good and/or bad over our history than any other. Take President Abraham Lincoln vs Jefferson Davis had Abe not won world history would be completely different.

And President Bush Vs. Al Gore - If we had chosen Gore then we would likely not be in any wars but what would his views have done to our country?

The Kioto treaty? Socialized Healthcare? These are the things the American public decides every time we cast our votes.

Answer 3

No... we are a representative constitutional Republic...
The elections do mean something... The last one showed that Americans are more interested in National Security and protecting this country than sucking up to give aways.. (sadly not by much tho) .... And it is more than *just* the President... he isn't all powerful... the other party has been obstructing his efforts and have likely prolonged this battle longer than necessary. To encourage the enemy in order to regain power is shameful.
The important thing to look at in the next election (besides national security) is securing our borders. *Both* parties, for different reasons, have been selling out this country... selling our sovereignty to get or keep power.... things like the Trans Texas Highway, NAFTA, the SPP, The Law of the Sea treaty, Amnesty, The North American Union... all these things are leading to the loss of our Sovereignty and National identity as well as moving further down the slippery slope towards Globalism and a World Government.... Not a good think..

Answer 4

AMAZING! TRULY AMAZING, that so many people here don't even know what form of government we have here in the USA.

Folks, the USA is NOT a democracy. A democracy is a wolf, a bear, and a pig voting on what to have for dinner. Majority rule.

The USA is a republic; a representative republic, or constitutional republic, where the rule of law is paramount and our Constitution defines the rules. It is also where we, as individuals, get our protections from government excesses. It is where we as one person have rights equal to those of the rest of the nation combined.

Yet, we more and more hear some liberals saying that the Constitution is old and outdated and we should get rid of it.

You liberals had really better think long and hard about that one. I doubt that even you wouldn't like living in a country that didn't recognize the rights of individuals.

Answer 5

George Lucas made a movie about this in Star Wars. We are a republic at best. I believe in theory a republic is better than a true democracy because everyone here knows someone whom is an idiot and should not make or decide important decisions, although I am afraid we elected one in 00 and 04. Our problem with our republic is corruption, power, and greed of money and not the best interest for the US but for themselves. Our checks and balance system has been tainted.

Answer 6

Meep and Geoff answered correctly. Thru a couple generations of subtle brainwashing, you can see from the responses that people think we are supposed to be a democracy. Democracy is majority rule, which sounds nice. It is also a lynch mob calling for a hanging. The particular mob is a majority of that particular community. A Constitutional Republic is a society ruled by laws. Altho the majority wants to hang someone, it has to abide by the law, not what the majority wants.

Answer 7

Americans believe in democracy...I believe in democracy...USA is a democratic country!

Thanks, George B, for clarifying what our country, USA, really and truly is, a constitutional republic! However, the democracy still stands, as far as voting for our President, and other Government officials.

Answer 8

Actually there is only ONE true democracy left in the whole world and that is Switzerland.

And before all you "thumbs downers" get too excited just know that this is not my opinion or a snotty way to bag on America (the US is the shiz nizzle bam bizzle and the best in the world) but that if you look this up you will find that this is a FACT.

Technically we are a Republic.

Answer 9

Democracy is a failed system that our founders warned against, because basically the politicians win by making the most promises that the voters have to pay for. We are definitely becoming a democracy.

The constitution isn't exactly how things are run anymore. In fact, a lot of people are just blatantly against it because one part or another interferes with their concept of utopia and no one has the political courage to go about changing it. So we just pretty much ignore it.

Answer 10

I completely agree. We are a republic, because for the most part, we are only permitted to elect representatives that choose for us. We do not get to make critical decisions ourselves, we merely appoint those that do. There are some advantages to this, however, because if we were to vote on every single issue, we would have to make about 5 trips a day to the voting booths. It is incorrect to call ourselves a democracy, this is a misnomer. We are a republic, and we are attempting to spread this form of government to other countries, which most of them don't even want. And to think, we accuse communists of the same crime.