Why is the United States a Democrocy when the Founding Fathers never wanted us to be?
407479
The founding fathers never wanted a pure democracy, and we still don't have one, though it's true there is significantly more democracy than there once was, particularly because we now directly elect senators instead of having them be elected by state legislatures. Nontheless, the founding fathers clearly wanted a democratic form of government, one in which the people's choices play a part, or why else would they include procedures for voting at all?\n\nAlso, the founding fathers' desires are not what does or even should guide us as a country. They wanted slavery to continue and women to not be allowed to vote, but clearly we've moved beyond those things. The constitution is not set in stone, but can be modified as society changes over time.
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
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.....
67338
It's not.  It's a republic.  In a democracy, all the people would have to vote to pass every law.  In a republic, we elect representatives to do that for us.
480023
Any type of government is a game for politicians, no matter how you look at it. And not all of us think democracy is good, I don't. After all, it got George Bush elected. Besides, democracy is basically one of the easiest games for liars, and we certainly have a lot of them in this society. We Americans tend to push our views on other people, we're like the big bullies of the playground. We refuse to see other societies views. Sometimes what seems the best isn't.
848579
By the complacency of its' citizens, and the fear that the government created by utilizing the media to spread false information, Weapons of Mass Distruction for instance. Creating an atmosphere of fear allowed the government to slowly and stealthfully rob you of your freedoms. The patriot act was one step, the Military Commissions Act is another. We live in the greatest country in the world, but do not be diluded into thinking that you live in a democracy elected by the people (ask Al Gore), or that you are free Try speaking out against the Government,  or exercizing your right to bear arms like the Davidians, or try not paying your property taxes, and see how long it is before the Government evict you from "Your Property". They have the right under "Imminent Domain" to seize your property for any reasonat any time. Don't believe me? Do some research. There are many many cases of this happening. Finally, try not paying your federal taxes. A tax that , by the way, was never ratified by any state in the union, and see how long it is before your wages are garnished, or  your assets seized.......Like I said. It is the greatest country in the world, and I am proud to be a citizen,  but the government is corrupt. You just have to look at the greatest Democracy ever that lasted 1000 years, the Roman Empire to know that it was greed, and corruption that brought down that empire. Greed and Corruption will eventually bring down the American Empire as well, and I doubt that it will last anywhere close to 1000 years.
338134
The U.S. is a representative republic. A true democracy would never work on a large scale.
58398
Democracy is not what our Founders created not is it what they wanted.  In fact they feared it.\n\nAs the Founders knew, democracy is the path to dictatorship.  \n\nIt is neither desired nor is it sustainable.
1134533
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.
874449
well the state is build on the constitution and has so by violated the very democratic thing that once brought forth the liberty of freedom by which we all have come from. and further more we must continue to fight for the freedom to constitutionaly solve the issues of statehood and democracy.  there that makes about as much since as the question.  Thanks for asking it was fun.
20869
America doesn't hate other nations, while there are most certainly elements in America that are, in fact, quite xenophobic. \n\nThe United Staes seldom lives up to it's ideals, of liberty and justice - but we try.\n\nInternational corporations have outspent your typical American in every election since 1980.\n\nThese corporations are not democratic in nature (what boardroom ever was?), and it now appears that freedom in America is dead.\n\nBut the American people always do what's right in the long run...  we always do.
167940
Democracy isn't an ideal system.  There are numerous flaws.  However it is the best form of government on the planet.  With a democratic society you aren't dragged out of your bed and taken off to some field and shot because you made a derogatory comment about your country's leader (Oh yes this does happen in other parts of the world.)  You say that freeing people from this type of persecution is unethical?!?  And these small groups that you are referring to are the ones dragging people out of their beds.\n\nOur founding fathers were living under an oppressive form of government.  If you read the deceleration of independence and even the preamble to the constitution you'll see what they were shooting for,  a form of government by the people and for the people.  Remember we are one of the newest country’s in the world but we also have the oldest constitution still in use today.\n\n\nWe the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America\n\nI truly wish you get the opportunity to travel outside the US.  So you can realize just how good you have it here. I don't know what college you are going to my dear but frankly you should ask for a refund.\n\nAnd remember the Freedom you are now enjoying to complain was paid for with the blood of this country's solders, IE that's why we aren't speaking German, Japanese or Russian.
638551
Some of the countries who have the power of veto aren't democracies at all.\nChina is not a democracy for example.\nTo answer your question, America is a capitalist country and are attempting to promote democracy because statistically, the more pro-American democracies there are in the world, the richer America gets. Get it?
758330
Really America is a Republic, so Democracy is just a myth..Right now with Bush it's a Dictatorship, and Democracy is once again a myth. Democracy means "For the people, By the people" (Abraham Lincoln), not for the corporations, and the rich people that want to rule.
164896
We, as the United States, never existed in the 1200's... unless you are critizing the way things are run in this country and comparing it with the time the Magna Carta came out, well i say, we, as the people have more say in the government, for our leader is elected, and our government is bulit on the framework of the US Constitution, which had some influence from the Magna Carta.
1127598
Actually the U.S. is a republic, not a democracy.  \n\nI'm not going to argue politics with a foreigner.
208134
There's a good idea behind your question, but you've phrased it in such a way that it's very difficult to understand what you're after. \n\nDo you mean, Did the French and US ideas of democracy replace those of other democracies of the 18th century?\n\nThe short answer to that is that there weren't any democracies extant at the time of the drafting of the US constitution. \n\nOr, do you mean, Have other nascent forms of democracy in the last 200 years been challenged and eclipsed by the strength of principles set forth in the US & French constitutions?\n\nIf so, this is probably impossible to answer, since it's hard to imagine a modern democratic system that doesn't derive to some extent from the US and French systems.\n\nThe ancient Greeks invented democracy, but were absorbed into the Roman empire and it disappeared. \n\nHowever, the French and US systems did not erupt in a vacuum. The Swiss are an important example, and democratic values and processes had, at various times, eroded the absolute rule of monarchs.