CDZ Why is democracy a good form of government?

[Teddy Pollins]

A friend of mine was talking about how he thinks democracy is a bad way to run government because it's just a 'popularity contest, like electing 5th grade class president except with a world super power.' He says that whoever governs us should be chosen based on how qualified they are, i.e. meritocracy.
What do participants think? Do any of you agree?
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

 

[Moonglow]

It beats no democracy...

 

[B. Kidd]

What is this thing called Democracy.........haven't seen it in over 40 years.

 

[Moonglow]

What is this thing called Democracy.........haven't seen it in over 40 years.

Where are you looking for it at?

 

[pismoe]

USA is not supposed to be a democracy which is better known as mob rule Gents . Course looks like you are talking about the presidency and that is like a popularity contest that should be decided by sober and thoughtful voters . Problem is that the sober thoughtful voters pretty much don't exist in about half of the population in the USA anymore . Nowadays people vote to continue the gravy train and favors paid for by the ever shrinking sober thoughtful voters so they vote for a person like mrobama . Technically the USA was designed as a Republic , a Constitutional Republic !! Might be coming to an end from what I see though .

 

[Agit8r]

"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves therefore are its only safe depositories. And to render even them safe their minds must be improved to a certain degree. This indeed is not all that is necessary, though it be essentially necessary. An amendment of our constitution must here come in aid of the public education. The influence over government must be shared among all the people."
-- Thomas Jefferson, from 'Notes on the State of Virginia'

 

[D Truth]

Whatever you call it, democracy, communism, republic, fascist, meritocracy, etc....
The only possible exception is anarchy, 'course there are idiots who insist that anarchy and communism are somehow the same, despite being polar opposites by definition.
There also may be an argument for theocracy, though not really...

Government is always the same, it's just people who mob up and steal, dehumanize, murder... just because they want to be "in control" of other people. Simple as that. There is no escaping it, that is just the way it is.

 

[|electric|foxy|]

Whatever you call it, democracy, communism, republic, fascist, meritocracy, etc....
The only possible exception is anarchy, 'course there are idiots who insist that anarchy and communism are somehow the same, despite being polar opposites by definition.
There also may be an argument for theocracy, though not really...

Government is always the same, it's just people who mob up and steal, dehumanize, murder... just because they want to be "in control" of other people. Simple as that. There is no escaping it, that is just the way it is.

Agreed
but
Do you really believe anarchy is possible? Simple answer, yes or no

 

[there4eyeM]

All forms of government fall prey to the natural tendency of some people to accumulate power at the expense of others. Democracy does not escape this, and republican forms of democracy have not proved the cure. The most that can be said is that at least the mechanism is present in a democratic system to change without violent revolution.
Of course, if all citizens operated by goodwill, any form of government would work. Some forms of government are more vulnerable than others to be taken over by even a small number of the ill-willed. The early Soviet Union and the Wiemar Republic are glaring examples.
By definition, nothing is good or bad of itself. 'Good' and 'bad' are entirely relative, human terms.

 

[norwegen]

Democracy is not a good form of government. It's populist. It creates faction and inequality.

Republicanism is the best form, especially as it was established in America: without an inherited aristocracy.

 

[pismoe]

thing that's interesting is the small numbers of people that head governments . Course then they have their men , their armies , their police and all other government paraphernalia which is all paid for by taxpayers . Right after 'Charlie hebdo' there was a photo taken showing all or a large portion of world leaders / elites , think it was taken in Paris . Numbers are small , tiny , tiny , tiny compared to country or world population of normal people .

 

[there4eyeM]

A republic is a subset of democracy. I don't understand what the insistence is of some people to refuse to recognize the fact.

 

[pismoe]

hey '4eye' : I'd say that Minority Rights are protected in a Constitutional Republic . See England for an example where their mob rule democracy and a vote disarmed the entire minority of handgun owners in 1998 !! Now the only handgun owners in England are the elites , queen , a few coppers , criminals and maybe some military .

 

[Agit8r]

A republic is a subset of democracy. I don't understand what the insistence is of some people to refuse to recognize the fact.

Yeah, the words have often been used interchangeably:

"We of the United States, you know, are constitutionally and conscientiously democrats. We consider society as one of the natural wants with which man has been created; that he has been endowed with faculties and qualities to effect its satisfaction by concurrence of others having the same want"
-- Thomas Jefferson; letter to P. S. Dupont de Nemours (April 24, 1816)

"Is there not, my friend, reason to believe, that the principles of Democratic Republicanism are already better understood than they were before; and that by the continued efforts of Men of Science and Virtue, they will extend more and more till the turbulent and destructive Spirit of War shall cease?—The proud oppressors over the Earth shall be totally broken down and those classes of Men who have hitherto been the victims of their rage and cruelty shall perpetually enjoy perfect Peace and Safety till time shall be no more."
-- Samuel Adams; from letter to Thomas Jefferson (Nov. 18th 1801)

 

[pismoe]

a REPUBLIC if you can keep it !! --- A Republic if You Can Keep It --- course lefties , progs , dems and modern pop culture teach that the USA is a democracy !!

 

[norwegen]

In the United States, supreme authority was not ever to be vested in the people, however directly or indirectly they may have exercised that authority.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

 

[dcraelin]

USA is not supposed to be a democracy which is better known as mob rule Gents . Course looks like you are talking about the presidency and that is like a popularity contest that should be decided by sober and thoughtful voters . Problem is that the sober thoughtful voters pretty much don't exist in about half of the population in the USA anymore . Nowadays people vote to continue the gravy train and favors paid for by the ever shrinking sober thoughtful voters so they vote for a person like mrobama . Technically the USA was designed as a Republic , a Constitutional Republic !! Might be coming to an end from what I see though .

Democracy is not a good form of government. It's populist. It creates faction and inequality.

Republicanism is the best form, especially as it was established in America: without an inherited aristocracy.

A republic is a subset of democracy. I don't understand what the insistence is of some people to refuse to recognize the fact.

Republic and Democracy are both terms that indicate sovereignty of the people.... No difference should be accepted in their meaning, no matter how bad partisans may want there to be.

see my picture gallery to see a number of pictures and quotes of founders on this subject

pictures

the one of Pinckney could be informative in a recently heard SC case on an independent commission to deter gerrymandering out of Arizona I believe. It shows that the people are considered the ultimate legislative power.

 

[pismoe]

REPUBLICAN form of government , a couple minute video, good explanation IMO !! --- The American form of government. VIDEO ---

 

[D Truth]

Whatever you call it, democracy, communism, republic, fascist, meritocracy, etc....
The only possible exception is anarchy, 'course there are idiots who insist that anarchy and communism are somehow the same, despite being polar opposites by definition.
There also may be an argument for theocracy, though not really...

Government is always the same, it's just people who mob up and steal, dehumanize, murder... just because they want to be "in control" of other people. Simple as that. There is no escaping it, that is just the way it is.

Agreed
but
Do you really believe anarchy is possible? Simple answer, yes or no

Yes, most human beings practice it everyday.
Every time you think independently, by true definition, you are an anarchist.