what did winston churchill mean by saying that democracy was the worst froms of government except all others?
107398
This is because there is no system that can ideally order society. Traditionally the purpose of democracy is to prevent tyranny (the accumulation of too much authority in the hands of one or a few). That is, democracy is not intended to give us "good" government, but to put some limits to the abuse of power.\n\nIt is important to recognize that democracy is not morally ideal. At the heart of democracy is the belief that if a majority is in agreement, it is legitimate to harm the minority. While a clear improvement over tyranny (in which the decision of a minority of 1 person makes it legitimate to harm the majority of all others), this coercive power is still cause for concern. For this reason, some countries (such as the USA) have created constitutions that set protect particular issues from majoritarian decision-making. Generally, changes in these constitutions require the agreement of a super-majority. This means a majority can still legitimately coerce a minority (which is still ethically questionable), but as a practical matter it is harder to get a larger proportion of the people to agree to such actions.
37196
Democracy is a form of government where the people make the decisions. People mistake the US for a democracy, but we are not. We select the people that make the decisions, and this is what a republic is about.
695313
None. Criticizing political leaders is NOT "tantamount to screaming fire..." and is exactly the kind of speech the authors of the first amendment  wanted to protect. \n\nYou are advocating policies that were practiced in Nazi Germany, the USSR, Saddam's Iraq, etc. and is still practiced in Communist China and North Korea today. You "hate our freedom".
680491
I am nominating Winston Churchill as the best leader in history. He got his country through the war and started the built-up after the war. A winning country in a war (if that exists at all) is always lagging behind economically afterwards and he could not avoid that but I think a great leader is also there to unite the people of a country and he did that very well. \n\nAs for the worst leader I was doubting between Hitler and Stalin. Not only did they kill an enourmous amount of people, either by war or by torture and execution. They got the countries at war with the rest of the world basically. Besides that they left their country and its people in a deplorable state, from which I think Russia is still recovering.
89260
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.
567416
I think that quote came from a philosopher or a writer during the times wherein swords and spears are the only weapons and guns are not yet invented. These kind of men fought their government by writing novels,essays poems,etc. denouncing the dictatorship of their leaders. Instead of a bloody revolt,w/c means taking up arms (swords),they choose to convey their grievances w/c in turn influenced the public. Because of what they learned from the writings.the public revolt causing many governments to topple down.
1033279
No, a parliamentary democracy is by far the most representative form of democracy that has been created thus far. Don't blow it.
89960
Adolph Hitler was by far the worst person in recorded history. Saddam and Osama are tyrants, and George Bush is taking the blame for everything he was advised to do.
780959
Winston Churchill had two very instructive lines (I believe about the US).\n\n1. America eventually does what's right...when all other options have been exhausted.\n\n2. Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.\n\nThomas Jefferson never pointed out that a sense of humor was a necessary requirement for democracy but it probably was one of those things they just asumed everyone would have - like air or something.\n\nThose comments are important to remember when some stupid stuff gets done by our goverment. In short, no the US government is not fair, it's just MORE fair than most all the others. Somewhere between flaming hippie liberals and fascist conservatives, there is a weird balance of power, which fails alot but very occasionally succeeds brilliantly.\n\nPerhaps some other country Iceland (for instance) has got their stuff together and has a better government, it's better but...it's Iceland not alot of people benefit from that great government...
185331
The problem with Democracy is that we have a country based on equality AND freedom.  Alexis DeToqueville wrote that it is impossible for us to be totally equal and totally free because the wills of men will always cross other's boundries.  If you are posing a question of whether or not it is more important to be "humane" than "democratic", then I believe that you might have something.  Ofcourse, democrats will undeniably stand up and say that democracy IS humane, but I guess that's all in the eye of the beholder.  Fascism shows itself on many different levels, from the workplace, to households, to governmental issues, but the one thing I can say about democracy is that it at least tries for a middleground on freedom and equality.  A goverment by the people, for the people, but it does seem that the people's voice is getting a bit weaker than it used to be.
1160582
Winston Churchill had a great quote about this:\n"The best arguement against democracy is a 5 minute chat with your average voter."\n\nIn short, people is stupid.  Get used to it, sorry to burst your bubble.
11362
Douglas Adams wrote: "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."\n\nI think that pertains to most high level political jobs.
1166727
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) said 'England has neither eternal friends nor eternal enemies. She has only eternal interests,'  Winston Churchill once said\n\n' Always remember, a cat looks down on man, a dog looks up to man, but a pig will look man right in the eye and see his equal"\n\nNot sure who said it first...
224563
hell no! he is an evil liar....."those who are willing to give up freedom for security, will end up with neither"\n winston churchill
166684
Democracy \nA system of government where the people rule.  \n\nRepresentative Democracy \nA democracy where the people elect representatives to rule for them.  \n\nConstitutional Monarchy \nA monarchy where the monarch is a figurehead. The country is ruled through elected Parliment Members. This monarchy also has a constitution.  \n\nMonarchy \nA system of government in which a king/queen/emperor etc. is the sole and absolute ruler. The right to rule was usually passed down to the eldest son, from the current monarch, when he/she died.  \n\nOligarchy \nA system of government in which a few people rule.  \n\nAristocracy \nA system of government in which a few people rule, usually the richest, and higher class. The right to rule was passed down within the family.  \n\nTyranny \nA system of government where a ruler has total power, not limited by a constitution or\nby other officials; especially one in ancient Greece. This ruler seizes power often by force, and rules single-handedly. In ancient Greece a tyrant often ruled fairly and justly and got important things done quickly. Many were very popular.  \n\nDictatorship \nA system of government in which one person has seized power violently, and is the sole ruler for life. (Or until he/she is overthrown).  \n\nTotalitarianism \nA system of government where every single part of an individual's life is controlled and watched by the government. People who support this kind of government, believe that strict order is the key to a society without chaos. Myanmar is run by a military government, often the case in a totalitarian government.  \n\nCommunism \nCommunism is a way of living in which the government owns and runs all the business. There are many forms of communism, the "ideal" form of society. Karl Marx set down the foundation of modern communism. Unfortunately all peaceful attempts to have a communist society have been abandoned early on. Usually the only way to have a communist region, is usually through revolution. These often have a cruel dictator, and are not "ideal." There are also many factions of communism, who usually fight each other. One example is Socialism.  \n\nAnarchy\nAnarchists believe that government is evil, and that it limits individual freedoms. So anarchy is no form of government at all. Its roots can be traced back to the Goths in Europe.
331131
Great questions.  He wasn't alone in seeing that democracy isn't perfect; Plato laid out some of the best arguments for and against the various forms of government in his book, Republic.  But I don't read Churchill's quote as being negative about democracy at all, but rather stating that democracy is the best one out there   His actual quote was “Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”  It sounds like Churchill didn't see a better form, even if Plato did offer a few.  Bog, Ante
1143401
no.  was never a democracy.  it was intended to be a republic, but we all got sold to the highest bidder.  now its a corporate run capitalistic prison state.