Do you people believe that america is actually a democratic nation?
338134
The U.S. is a representative republic. A true democracy would never work on a large scale.
196160
Yes, it is.  (It's also a republic, capitalist, etc.)  It's not a "direct" democracy in the sense of submitting everything to a direct vote of the people, but the people do have ultimate power.  As a practical matter, the people frequently don't exercise the power they have -- they often don't bother voting, or don't educate themselves on issues -- but the power is there if they choose.
233558
Like stated before, US is a flavor of democracy but ...\nthere are many aspects which aren't consistent with democratic principles. \nOne would be the lack of transparency and games of interests. Guess you've noticed how many decisions taken by the elected administration have been done behind the back of the people they are supposed to represent and protect. Creating an atmosphere of insecurity, furthering own interests, limitations of civil liberties, etc ... these are signs of a totalitarian system, not democracy. Maybe some infrigements on liberties are necessary in the current sstuation but that doesn't mean they are acceptable in a system that wants to appear democratic.\nAlso the relativity of freedom. A very small part of the media is actually free because those members of the media that aren't subjects in a race for profits serve the politicians. The result is that media doesn't want to inform the people, it wants to give them what sells best. This way the people aren't free because they won't be fully in touch with what happens around, they aren't fully controlled either, just in a state of half-thruts and sometimes deceit. Biased info, govt cover-up attempts (like the failures in Iraq, secret prisons, etc), these aren't part of democracy.
36645
Democracy is a joke! us americans think that we are free that is not the case, and america thinks that it's there job to polize the world
126533
true democracy is rule by the people.  The US is a republic where some of our officials are elected.  It is far from a true democracy because special interests have a huge influence on the election of officials and how they act when in office.\n\nA true demoocracy would respond to the will of the people and allow for continual social change based on their needs and wants.  It can't be a true democracy without continual political participation of its people.
873287
I love the American politics. The real democracy exists only in America.
549121
No. the 'white' people in America think that their 'democratic' system is better than the systems found in certain other countries.
1086603
The United States of America is NOT a democracy, it IS a Republic.  You should do your homework before throwing out statements like that.  \n\nDo you remember the pledge of allegiance?  "And to the REPUBLIC, for which it stands......"\n\nYou say charity starts at home....then you take a group like the Masons, who donate over $2 million A DAY to charity, and make claims that they are corrupt.\n\nI know you are frustrated, but playing the blame game has never worked, and never will.  Take responsibility for your own actions and get yourself out of the hole you are in.  THAT is the American dream.  Attaining things without someone having to give it to you.\n\nYou are right to question things, but it sounded more like a rant than a legitimate question.  Power comes from knowledge and hard work, not complaining.\n\nIf you want my humble opinion, the problems of this country come from the loss of states rights.  The way the constitution was written, the states had much more control over their government.  Over the years, these states' rights have been slowly removed, causing national burdens and excesses based on irrelevant local economies.  Hint, it has nothing to do the Masons, or Magic Johnson for that matter.
344585
I believe this will not happen in my life time. People in the USA believe we already live in a democracy, but we don't. We live in a land of freedoms, but not democracy. If we did, we would have many more choices to vote for in elections instead of being offered only what the two parties offer for the most part. If we were a democracy the people would have more say regarding taxes, how our money is spent and have a press that is factual and not what the prevailing government wants whether it is democratics or republicans. A true democractic society is run by the people for the people. I am 63 and we haven't had that yet since i have been around.
1031074
All American states are democratic. Some have democratically elected Republican leaders and others have democratically elected Democrat leaders.
380165
The U.S. is not a Democracy,It is a Representative Republic.\nIt does not matter what 100% vote for,What matters is what our elected law makers vote for.\nThis generation does not even know what kind of government they have.
911679
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.....
5516
Absolutely NOT!!!  Your statement, 'Many parties tend to keep each other honest, and would represent all levels of society.' is a the most accurate assesment of what is TRUE DEMOCRACY!!!
603111
many people argue that there really is no such thing as a true democracy.\nEven in the greatest democracies we still elect leaders who may or may not really represent the voice of the people.\nPerhaps a true democracy would operate something like American Idol, where we pick up a phone and text our votes on every issue that comes up.\nThere's a thought!
715688
I think you were asking for a reason why people consider the U.S. a "pure" democracy, rather than definitions of that, though they were very informative.\n\nI think that most Americans keep referring to this country's government as a democracy for two reasons:\n\nA) They're brainwashed to do so, from grade school on, continuing with media propaganda, which leaves out all the very NON-democratic aspects of our government in general and especially during the current administration.\n\nB) It makes them feel better about themselves as Americans, somehow morally superior in relation to other governments. It's easier to think that invading other countries is "okay" because the press and your prez tell you that they're "spreading democracy".
243488
I am Jordanian,, and I live in my beloved country,, to some extends and comparing with other countries in the middle east, yes Jordan is a democratic country:)
574230
yes I've noticed this. The U.S.A. wants everything our way. Not so sure we want democracy. the present administration is more concerned with having there way than democracy...hopefully this will change when we get a few of these currently elected officials out of office the American people are gettign wise to there ways and soon maybe the U.S. will be happy to mind its own business again. at the current time it seems we havent done a very good job running our own country doesnt make much sense that we are trying to run everyone elses. Unfortuneately we have a few more years with the current president but perhaps the American people can rein him in a little there are many people in the U.S. that are not aproving of the ways things have been handled too bad we get the blame for what the government is doing.