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That isn’t what most people think of when they hear “democracy” in the context of describing countries like the US as a democracy. Lay-usage and expert usage ar
by vundercind 2y ago
That isn’t what most people think of when they hear “democracy” in the context of describing countries like the US as a democracy. Lay-usage and expert usage are in accord here. It means more-or-less liberal and with voting that significantly affects how the state runs and/or who runs it. That’s all, and that usage doesn’t confuse anyone. If we didn’t use “democracy” for that we’d just have to come up with something else, because it’s a very useful term to have. But everyone just uses “democracy” and that works great.
- DANmode 2y agoIt's what a nonzero number of Americans hear. You're talking to one, who knows others. Democracy as defined is a goal we have. Not something all (maybe most!) Americans would claim to enjoy.
- vundercind 2y agoYou mean you thought tejohnso believes the US is a direct democracy, because of that post?
- DANmode 2y agoThey, like many others, probably have a somewhat fuzzy grasp on what the meaning of word democracy is, due to the way it's used. Honestly, I can't even think of an alternate(, but still charitable,) interpretation of: "Shouldn't it be very easy to vote to fix that in a democracy?" Suggest one, if you can?
- dragonwriter 2y agoGoalposts shift from > most people to > a nonzero number of Americans Holy motte and bailey, Batman.
- DANmode 2y agoWhy don't you keep this thread on-topic, and reply to: > "Shouldn't it be very easy to vote to fix that in a democracy?"
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]