Democracy is "Government for the people, by the people". (Interesting that I remember that from junior high, but not the definition of a Republic.) So if Democracy is "Mob Rule", then why is there a party that supports it? The Constitution makes provisions for a Republic, but makes no mention of a Democracy. The 2 party system seems rather inefficient to me. What are your thoughts? And, what is a Republic by definition? \nBTW, I am affiliated with neither party.
215292
A democracy is a form of government where decisions are made by the people.\n\nIn a "direct democracy" every citizen votes for every decision.  This includes who will occupy each office and each government job, and every law and rule, as well as enforcement of laws.\n\nIn a "republic," the citizens elect representatives to offices and the elected representatives make decisions on hiring employees and passing and enforcing laws.\n\nFor a country the size of the U.S., a direct democracy would be infeasible.  Both the Republican and Democratic parties favor a republican form of government.\n\nThe Republican Party generally sides with the interests of wealthy people.  Although they claim to favor conservative financial practices and smaller government, they do not follow those beliefs when in office.\n\nThe Democratic Party generally favors the interests of middle class and poor people.  They are more receptive to deficit spending and financial support of poor people.
17973
Good point :)\n\nOf course, by "democracy" we usually mean "freedom to vote for the leaders we like". And oh look, Condi Rice cut off aid to the Palestinian government.
262244
We live in a republic. Our type of government is called representative democracy. In a true democracy, every voter would vote on every issue. In a representative democracy, we vote on "representatives" to vote on every issue. Our representatives are supposed to vote with the majority view of their constituents. Most, instead, vote with their party and ignore the voice of the people who they work for.
449340
Democracy (literally "rule by the people", from the Greek demos, "people," and kratos, "rule") is a form of government for a nation state, or for an organization in which all the citizens have an equal vote or voice in shaping policy or electing government officials. While the term democracy is often used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to other bodies, such as universities, labor unions, public companies, or civic organizations.
375006
This is a representative democracy, a government "of the people, by the people and for the people" my friend. Why in God's name would you want to cede that right to a legislator who only has his or her own interests at heart? Hasn't the last six years of politicians lying and spinning and changing the subject taught you anything?\n\nThere actually was a time when people fought and died for the freedoms you dismiss (Iraq does not count because our freedoms are not and never were at risk). But from The American Revolution to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, men fought and died for this country, "the last great hope of mankind on earth."\n\nDear God man, it's not just your right but your reponsibility as an American to know and understand the issues and VOTE DAMMIT the best way you know how - to have a say in the future of this democracy, to leave this country a better place than you found it. And you dishonor the memory of all those people who gave their lives if you don't.
645101
Your quote is from Alexis de Tocqueville, who was a member of the French Aristocracy and favored monarchy over democracy. He came to America shortly after the French Revolution to study democracy up close and personal. He didn't like it much, but why would he? He had it pretty good under the French monarchical system. At least understand what it is you're ranting about.
64776
the funny thing about the constitution is that it is exactly as democratic as anyone wants it to be (or doesn't).  basically it can be anything based on your interpretation of it.\n\nan example.  the constitution protects our freedom of speech.  meanwhile, there are a thousand laws limiting this freedom.  some are for legitimate reasons and some aren't.  someone like george w. bush reads the constitution and believes that we as americans have very few civil liberties, that it is okay for him to put restrictions on our "constitutionally protected" rights of free speech, religion, assembly, privacy, due process, and many, many more, and that these rights can be sacrificed in order to protect "national security".  other people and organizations, such as the ACLU or the democratic party before its spine mysteriously disappeared a few years ago, believe that these rights should not be infringed, ever, for any reason.  \n\nthis just goes to show how two different people can read the same thing and come away with two completely different opinions about what it actually means.
642799
there is this "idea" that democracy is good and other types of government are bad and/or evil.  no one system of government is inherently good or evil, but that just not how it is viewed.  i'm a little more curious as to why america thinks it can "teach" democracy with bombs and force....but then historically what we see more of is the idea that america teaches a system of rule that supports the US is more what it means, be it a democracy or dictator.
499518
i aggree with Phil when he says "Democracy is a very over-used and incorrectly used term\n\nWhat happens in many Western countries and the USA is called an OLIGARCHY and a PLUTOCRACY.\n\nThese are not true democracies - until 'we' can have a real democracy, we cannot export anything but a lie. "\n\nultimatly, help is for those that want it, not those that need it.....
6604
First you have to destroy the constitution. And then everyone has to be informed on all the issues.  Then by some miracle pull off a democracy. Even social clubs have a leadership, because when you have more than one person it is impossible to have total agreement on everything. A true democracy has NEVER exsisted.  We are a Federal Republic, which means you vote for reprentatives.\n\nA democracy leads into a tyranny, because with a true democracy it is at it's essence mob rule with no protection for those in the minority
563798
Just to expand on what has already been written, in a Democracy, the majority rules. If the majority decides that all left handed people should be enslaved, then they will be. This is what James Madison called a Mobocracy. Our country was founded as a Republic. Another aspect of a republic not mentioned in previous answers is the idea that the minority is spared from the tyranny of the majority. Just because the majority of people may want something doesn't necessarily make it right. Take slavery in the US for example. Or denying women the right to vote. I suppose Democracy can be too dangerous to those who do not fit in the standard social/economic profile of the time.
482714
This country supports democracy. Part of democracy is saying what you feel in any form as long as it doesn't defame someone's character or break a law. Freedom of speech is everyone's right in this country---you don't have to agree with it.
436850
You should ask someone from the former Soviet Union about a democratic government.  Here in the United States, we do not have such a government, even though politicians dont know any better and often say we do.   Let me give an example: two men and a woman are stranded on an island.....the men vote to rape the woman.....in a democracy majority rules and the rights of the individual are not considered.  In the constitutional Republic established by the U.S. Constitution, the rights of the individual are paramount.  V.I. Lenin, one of the founders of the Soviet Union and a marxist, stated "democracy is essential for communism".  The liberal fascists in the United States Government are slowly but surely using this as one of the many tools to turn the United States into a communist nation.  You can read the 'communist manifesto' established by the Soviets to establish what they needed to do to defeat the west and therefore freedom.  Those like pelosi and kennedy have agendas that are identical to the communist manifesto.  So, you see, the United States is NOT a democracy, but democracy is being used to subvert and pervert the consitution.
8472
The major con that the founders were concerned with was that once the populace determines that they can vote money to themselves that would be the end of the democracy.  The body politic rarely has all the facts needed to make a decision.\n\nA democracy doesn't even work in social clubs.  That is why there is some sort of governing body to make specific decisions.\n\nAlso the things that need to be decided are to numerous.  Even those of us who have followed politics since we were 14 get tired of following it on a daily basis.  It's worse for those who don't care.\n\nA democracy can trample on a man's rights more than a republic can, because the majority always rules. Giving no protection to the minority.
324419
Republic is government by the people.In which people are the source of power who have direct say in the governmemtal matters means govt by the n through the people.
35231
too many people want to be in charge, old saying "too many cheifs not enough indians" democracy is a system for the people and by the people. if the common person does not stand up for it it will falter.
640864
Actually the U.S. is a republic, not a democracy.  \n\nI'm not going to argue politics with a foreigner.