The United States is not, and never was, intended to be a democracy. The system was built upon the principals of polyarchy, which is a political system where the government is made up of "responsible" and wealthy elite. The rest of society is composed of a fragmented middle and lower class that every several years is allowed to participate politically to an extent while the wealthy monitors their opinions. Thanks to more than a few incidents regarding public opinion, the government and the constitution has changed quite a bit, but the basic system of polyarchy remains the same. Notice how we are only allowed to vote for TWO presidents from only TWO parties that represent the same economic and political ideology. Does that mean the two parties are the same? No, but they are still both center-right and that means we will always have the same basic system unless a radical change occurs spontaneously in one of the two parties or if a third party candidate that represents a libertarian, socialist, or even fascist movement is elected.
[quote]We elect a president and most of the cabinet,[quote]
Actually, we do not elect any of the cabinet. But that is the beauty of democracy, we trust whoever we voted for to make the right decisions (unless you were on the side that lost the election ).
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states ... I'm pretty sure that means democracy.
That seems to be a pervasive concept, but it's a false one. Being elected by people does not a democracy make. In a true democracy, there wouldn't be a house of representatives, since true democracies have direct elections. Also, in a true democracy, there would have to be a national vote on every silly bill that normally would go through Congress. Since this is a republic, that isn't the case. Just because people vote, that doesn't mean that a system of government is a democracy.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
That is not a democracy. As moegreche said, that is a republic. We choose the people who represent us, and then they make the decisions. The U.S. is a republic, not a democracy. And it's not an aristocracy, as mentioned in the OP, either.
Stop being a dou.che dude.
How was he being a dou? You come to the WEPR section, you are going to have to expect arguments and debates, man. And you can't win by throwing insults in peoples' faces.
Actually, we do not elect any of the cabinet. But that is the beauty of democracy, we trust whoever we voted for to make the right decisions (unless you were on the side that lost the election ).
We elect the senators. They're a part of the cabinet, are they not?
does not a democracy make
No offense moegreche, I'm on your side here, but why are you talking like Yoda? Is it proper grammar?
America doesn't really like democracy much, look at Latin America if somebody they didn't like is in power the remove them and put in someone they like to benifit them.
Notice how we are only allowed to vote for TWO presidents from only TWO parties that represent the same economic and political ideology. Does that mean the two parties are the same? No, but they are still both center-right and that means we will always have the same basic system unless a radical change occurs spontaneously in one of the two parties or if a third party candidate that represents a libertarian, socialist, or even fascist movement is elected.
At least in America you have a say in who your party's presidential candidate will be, during the primaries. Over here in the UK, after Blair stepped down, Brown took over the reigns without holding an election - all constitutionally legal. This however is not, I think the main problem with American democracy. I think it is an issue of election systems. Currently the FPTP method used enables people to get into power, without having the majority of the people having voted for them. A much more democratic approach would be to use a proportional system, STV. This gives the House of Representatives a make up that accurately reflects the wishes of the people.
i agree with firefly, we need to get rid of the electoral college. i also think that the citizens of the usa should be required to vote. it is, after all, to set up the government in a way you'd more likely prefer.
Still find the fact that more people vote for American Idol than the president of the United States hilarious ^^. I've also heard a quote stating the fact that we choose from 50 candidates for Miss America, and only 2 candidates for the President.
I don't like the fact that we really only ever have 2 people campaigning, since no one else is really allowed any limelight. It just seems to defeat the purpose of everything when two major parties control almost, if not all, the entire system.
Either way, no, I personally don't think the United States of America isn't really a Democracy, fact or not =P.
like i said earlier, RaptorExx, it is illegal for any political party that isn't the Democratic or Republican party to advertise. thats why no one ever votes for them, because they are not known. and obviously this law was made by the Republican and Democratic paties, since they benefit from it.
it is illegal for any political party that isn't the Democratic or Republican party to advertise
I've never actually heard of this =\\.
List of all US political parties is right here.
I've seen this list before, wonderful Wikipedia =D. The only other party I've ever actually seen around is the Green Party...I don't remember where.
Anyway, even if there were a thousand [there probably are] other parties I doubt we'll ever see one of their candidates in office...whether they really are allowed to advertise, or not.
That seems to be a pervasive concept, but it's a false one. Being elected by people does not a democracy make. In a true democracy, there wouldn't be a house of representatives, since true democracies have direct elections.
If you want to knit-pick that much, then yes, the US is not a Democracy. But there has been no country in the world which has been a Democracy, according to your narrow definition.
In a true democracy, there wouldn't be a house of representatives,
thats why the system that most countries including the USA have, is called a representative democracy. you cannot vote on everything, but you chose people to represent your wishes and demands. except for the swiss, where you have a referendum on most bills. but they still have a parliament to rule and create laws and so on
thats why the system that most countries including the USA have, is called a representative democracy.
Which, I'd argue is the best system there is. At least on such a large scale. If democracy is too direct, and referenda are taken on every issue, nothing would get done. Literally thousands of bills pass through parliament each year, many of which I know nothing of/care very little about. That's why I leave it to paid MPs whose job it is to specialise in certain areas and gain expertise, so they can legislate accordingly.
In any case, Prop 8 showed that referenda and an uneducated electorate are not a good combination.
