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The US is not a Democracy, was never meant to be a Democracy, and the founders went to great lengths to ensure the citizens of the US were protected from a Demo

The US is not a Democracy, was never meant to be a Democracy, and the founders went to great lengths to ensure the citizens of the US were protected from a Democracy by the framework of the Constitution. Maybe some day the average citizen of this nation will be informed and intelligent enough to participate in a functioning Democracy. Until then politicians will continue to manipulate the misinformed masses and throw around the word Democracy to make the plebs feel as though they matter.

whistlecrackers 11y ago
A republic, if you can keep it.
wavefunction 11y ago
A republican democracy, wherein those sufficiently motivated can make their voices heard. My voice may be weaker in audibility than a millionaire but still it may be heard if I shout loud enough.
devinhelton 11y ago
It is not a republic either. At least it is not a republic in a way that the Greeks, Romans, or American Founders would have understood it. It was meant to be a republic, but it is no longer. The US is actually one-half mandarinate (rule by a permanent government comprising the civil service and academia) and one-half spoils-system kleptocracy (rule by organized factions who get the government to give them money or favorable law). Elections are used mainly as a legitimacy mechanism. You can think of them as almost a religious ritual, like taking communion. Elections are a way of giving people an illusion of control, and of proving overall buy-in in the system, while in reality popular influence is kept quite limited.
- ZoeZoeBee 11y ago
  Your knowledge of history is quite terrible as well as your definition of words
  - devinhelton 11y ago
    Your knowledge of my knowledge of history is quite terrible. I am quite well read, and could defend any of my sentences above. In government, it is quite often that the reality of power does not match the official language used to describe it. Rome, for instance, was officially a republic, long after in reality it had come to be ruled by an emperor.
Synaesthesia 11y ago
It's a weak form of democracy, with many freedoms, but not a direct participatory democracy, which I agree is the correct and proper form of government.
snowwrestler 11y ago
The U.S. is a representative democracy, not a direct democracy. We vote for representatives, not laws, but that's still a form of democracy. (Actually some states do conduct ballot initiatives, which are a form of direct democracy, as well.)
- ZoeZoeBee 11y ago
  What you describe with the states is called Federalism not a Democracy, but whatever makes you feel good
  - snowwrestler 11y ago
    Each state is a sovereign entity. They have gathered themselves into the United States, which is also a sovereign entity. This structure is called federalism. Within the boundaries of each state, there are state-level elections. In some state-level elections, like California, citizens of that state can vote directly to pass or repeal certain laws. This is a form of direct democracy.

whistlecrackers 11y ago

A republic, if you can keep it.

wavefunction 11y ago

A republican democracy, wherein those sufficiently motivated can make their voices heard. My voice may be weaker in audibility than a millionaire but still it may be heard if I shout loud enough.

devinhelton 11y ago

It is not a republic either. At least it is not a republic in a way that the Greeks, Romans, or American Founders would have understood it. It was meant to be a republic, but it is no longer. The US is actually one-half mandarinate (rule by a permanent government comprising the civil service and academia) and one-half spoils-system kleptocracy (rule by organized factions who get the government to give them money or favorable law). Elections are used mainly as a legitimacy mechanism. You can think of them as almost a religious ritual, like taking communion. Elections are a way of giving people an illusion of control, and of proving overall buy-in in the system, while in reality popular influence is kept quite limited.

ZoeZoeBee 11y ago
Your knowledge of history is quite terrible as well as your definition of words
- devinhelton 11y ago
  Your knowledge of my knowledge of history is quite terrible. I am quite well read, and could defend any of my sentences above. In government, it is quite often that the reality of power does not match the official language used to describe it. Rome, for instance, was officially a republic, long after in reality it had come to be ruled by an emperor.

Synaesthesia 11y ago

It's a weak form of democracy, with many freedoms, but not a direct participatory democracy, which I agree is the correct and proper form of government.

snowwrestler 11y ago

The U.S. is a representative democracy, not a direct democracy. We vote for representatives, not laws, but that's still a form of democracy. (Actually some states do conduct ballot initiatives, which are a form of direct democracy, as well.)

ZoeZoeBee 11y ago
What you describe with the states is called Federalism not a Democracy, but whatever makes you feel good
- snowwrestler 11y ago
  Each state is a sovereign entity. They have gathered themselves into the United States, which is also a sovereign entity. This structure is called federalism. Within the boundaries of each state, there are state-level elections. In some state-level elections, like California, citizens of that state can vote directly to pass or repeal certain laws. This is a form of direct democracy.