Democracy

[Warbsywoo]

Democracy has come a long way from its beginnings with the ancient Greeks.
Now it has come along as represented in the democratic republics of the world.

But is true democracy a good thing?
Is it wise to give power to the people, knowing that there are some out there that would wish for power and use it for wrong?
Is it wise to give people various 'freedoms' and allow them to practice it to its full use and intent?
Is it wise to even keep a 'true' democracy?

A true democracy is a democracy where the power is solely in the hands of the people, unlike a democratic-republic, of which most of the major powers of the world are.

I'll post later after you guys post your thoughts on this.

 

[Stryfe]

"Hey, Fred, I think we should go to war."

"Well, Bob, we have to discuss that with all the other people. We need about 500,000 people to respond."

"Wow. That's a lot. Chances are they will nuke us before we decide"

No, true democracy is not a good thing. It's much like communism and people will have equal say. Even then some, it's impossible to pass fair judgment on things. The only things that will be beneficial about a democracy is that of having a good say, knowing what you vote for counts.

 

[Gatekpr]

We don't have a "true" democracy, pal, not as you describe it. Not in America, anyway. The government doesn't give two shits about how the people think, they're only in it for the power.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't clearly read your final statement. To that effect, a government solely by the people is very close to full socialism. It's a bad thing, in my opinion, as, let's face it, the people can't be trusted. We would need some kind of leader, so long as it's a good one who actually cares for his people.

 

[Stryfe]

We don't have a "true" democracy, pal, not as you describe it. Not in America, anyway. The government doesn't give two shits about how the people think, they're only in it for the power.

That's why he said a democratic-republic, which is true. XD.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Which is why it makes sense that we are a democratic-republic.
Which is also why we have the electoral college, right?
On the off chance that the people are voting against the will of the politicians....

*we are* =P

I agree, having a true democracy would probably hurt our chances because:

Say people are anti-war. Other people are pro-war jingoists.
And for some reason, when they get to the polls, they all vote in equal numbers and it would stalemate.
So yes, it would be necessary to put in a few checks here and there, right?

 

[Nanaki's Mohawk]

I definiely think direct democracy is the way to go. I dont know what you you people are on about when you say its bad because its too close to communism/socialism. That is a good thing!

I know the USA convinces all its citizens that Communists are some kind of evil, invisible horde. But just read up on it and learn waht its really about.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Oh, we weren't bashing on democracy!
There are two types of democracy, see.

True democracy --- power directly in the hands of the people, by voting, but also includes people who have evil designs.

Democractic-republic ---- such as the U.S. and others like G.B., people still vote but are and checked by governmental powers such as the electoral college, probably designed to elect an actually capable leader instead of some guy that the people voted.

And I was asking which one was better, not advocating socialism/communism...as I am against that.

 

[Nanaki's Mohawk]

I know, I was just commenting on a previous post someone made that referenced communism.

The 2 types of democracy are also known as direct and indirect democracy as far as I am aware.

 

[Rasputin]

Aye carumba...

But is true democracy a good thing?

No, because nothing would get done in the country, minorities would not have rights, and stupid people would have a huge influence on government. Laws would not be enforcible, natural disaster victims would get no relief, and modern civilization would come to an end. This would be the time for a rather big DUH, don't you think?

The only things that will be beneficial about a democracy is that of having a good say, knowing what you vote for counts.

And if the majority of people happen to be racist, then they could vote that every person of African descent should be hung. The fact that every vote DOES count for everything is exactly the problem.

The government doesn't give two shits about how the people think, they're only in it for the power.

Except we have a little thing called "voting", and politicians who DON'T care what people think will lose their job faster than you can say "constituency". Maybe you should try it some time

Nanaki's Mohawk] [/B]I definiely think direct democracy is the way to go. I dont know what you you people are on about when you say its bad because its too close to communism/socialism. That is a good thing!

I know the USA convinces all its citizens that Communists are some kind of evil, invisible horde. But just read up on it and learn waht its really about.

Uh huh, maybe YOU should try reading up on communism, because a militaristic upper class removing all rights and freedoms, controlling the press, and sending so-called “dissenters” to prison camps without a trial is not what I call a great system of government. Heck, Russia did better under the tsars than they did under Stalin. Ever heard of a book called Animal Farm? You should look at it some day.

Warbourne[/B]]probably designed to elect an actually capable leader instead of some guy that the people voted.

Because voting in George W. Bush instead of following the popular vote was a real smart choice, wasn’t it? The Electoral College was one of the worst decisions the Founding Fathers made when designing this country, and it remains nothing but an expensive, elitist time-waster designed to bypass democracy. I predict an amendment will be made to the US Constitution within the next century removing the system entirely.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Because voting in George W. Bush instead of following the popular vote was a real smart choice, wasn’t it? T

Well, they have been making bad choices lately
I just hope it's not going to be a trend.

So you don't believe in the democracy we have right now?
Going by what you said, true democracy would ruin our nation but the electoral college, which helps keep this kind of 'racist' thing or whatever from happening, is also a bad thing.
If these checks are removed, as I said, what's there to stop a total democracy?

 

[Rasputin]

Well, they have been making bad choices lately
I just hope it's not going to be a trend.

So you don't believe in the democracy we have right now?
Going by what you said, true democracy would ruin our nation but the electoral college, which helps keep this kind of 'racist' thing or whatever from happening, is also a bad thing.
If these checks are removed, as I said, what's there to stop a total democracy?

A POPULAR VOTE for elected officials would be nice, for one thing. Representative democracies are the best system of government we have, but they aren’t much good if people don't have complete control over who who they are represented by.

 

[Warbsywoo]

Oh.
I hope I didn't misunderstand what you posted last time.
And this time, for that matter.

Well, in this case, yes, I agree that a popular vote and a more people controlled voting system would be better. With restrictions still, obviously.

 

[ubergoat]

Uh huh, maybe YOU should try reading up on communism, because a militaristic upper class removing all rights and freedoms, controlling the press, and sending so-called “dissenters” to prison camps without a trial is not what I call a great system of government. Heck, Russia did better under the tsars than they did under Stalin. Ever heard of a book called Animal Farm? You should look at it some day.

When people are talking about communism I think we are referring to the 'pure' form of communism. So far there hasnt been any truly communist societies that exist on a large scale on earth yet. What communism really means is essentially everyone puts an equal amount of work into the country as a whole, not to benefit themselves directly but to benefit the country and then everyone also gets equal returns. The problem that happens is we're human so people start abusing situations they get in and boom the idea is busted. If you watch star trek you can see that the federation is much much closer to true communism than we ever were, although it isnt quite there because of the damned ferengi .