How badly has the democratic process failed us, here in Britain?

Question

The vote doesn't change anything, it just puts another bunch of hypocritical and out of touch money-grabbers in charge.

Hasn't the government outlived it;s usefulness?

Elections are no longer about a clash of ideals; left and right wing, but are now more of a popularity contest.

Answer 1

What Democratic process?.

Answer 2

I agree with the person who said democracy is a myth.
We do have a better system in that we are not under Sharia law or an extremely brutal totalitarian regime. We can be thankful for that. Can you imagine living under Putin's regime or living in Ukraine where corruption is so embedded in the system it can never change, or where the common man's rights are virtually non existent & many, many of the common folk have not been paid their wages in full for years causing extreme hardship? Those countries are by no means the worst are they? What about Darfur? Could it be worse than that?These are just a very few examples.
But I also feel Western governments are elected by those who pay their bills & sponser their campaigns & of course they expect a lot in return. They don't do it because they favour that governments policies in most cases. They make the policies & back those who will toe the line. If they don't toe the line the power of the media will be upon them in full force & all the dirt dragged up to either besmirch an individual or discredit a government.
So then public opinion shifts towards the other party, not so much because the other party is any better, but the people feel let down & need to vent their frustration & anger.
A country needs a government be it corrupt, out of touch or otherwise or we have anarchy. I agree that our politicians, for the most part are out of touch with the common man. It would do some of these folks a lot of good to have wait years for an operation or go without heating during the winter because they can't afford to pay the bills as some pensioners do, or lose their home because of a rise in interest rates. But really, if they did learn something & adjust their policies accordingly then would they have the support of their rich backers?
I feel much the same as do you, but upon reflection I am at least happy my family don't have to suffer the same deprivations as do some around the world. We do have a fairly good social system that does provide some assistance where needed. No we don't have true democracy & western governments often back oppressive regimes when convenient, or at least turn a blind eye when atrocities are committed but I suppose we at least have the lesser of the evils for now.
Merry Christmas.

Answer 3

Large majorities defeat democracy. Small majorities enhance it. I suspect the party system of government had outlived its use fullness, but I'm dashed if I can think of a viable alternative

Answer 4

It has failed us in some areas, but thanks to it, we have rights.

To quote Winston Churchill http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/364.html "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." (Sorry about the pop up on the link.)

Thanks to us living in a democracy, we have the chance to change our government, something that is denied to may across the globe. If you want to appreciate democracy, live in North Korea or Burma where you have no say in government and few rights. I understand your views, but what better system is there?

Answer 5

democracy in Britain is an illusion. how can you have democracy when we are run by a government that is made up of thieves and liars self servers and deceivers. new labour has been the biggest confidence trick ever played. and they should all be put on trial for treason.

Answer 6

We live in an illusion Democracy, what we actually have in the UK is an Authoritarian dictatorship.

Answer 7

if we had one id have to say catastrophically