> Isn't the US the oldest democracy ? No. They're one of the youngest. The English empire had a parliamentary system when the US left, that's where the whole "

> Isn't the US the oldest democracy ? No. They're one of the youngest. The English empire had a parliamentary system when the US left, that's where the whole "taxation without representation" thing comes from, they didn't get a representative in the English parliament. In fact the US governmental system is largely influenced by the English government system (with several changes made due to lack of monarch, and a need to elect 100% of their government as a policy). PS - Before you argue that "if people are appointed it isn't a democracy!" you may want to think that position though, the two houses and the president are elected, but most other positions remain appointed in the US (e.g. supreme court for just one example). PPS - I'd also argue that any FPTP system is only "barely" a democratic system since by design a vast majority of people feel they have no one who really represents their interests in either house. Instead of minority voices getting one seat, they get none, see the Nordic countries for how it should work in a democracy.