is democracy an illusion?
402306
The belief that we are a democracy is an illusion, we have always been a Federal Republic
575622
Real Democracy existed more in America when everyone in America took part.  When everyone was watching the news and discussing candidates.  \n\nDemocracy is Government for the People, By the People - pure and simple.  it is hard to make that work with less than 60% of eligible voters actually getting to the polls.\n\nIt's a group of folks all working toward a peaceful society and willing to discuss and make compromises.  It's people serving time as elected officials, because everyone has to chip in and help - not because it's a good way to get rich.\n\nI think Democracy exists in America today, but more so in our smaller Community Organizations - Mother's Clubs, etc.  A group of like minded individuals working together for no extra pay to create something valuable, while respecting each other's right to be different.
794060
Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship. \n\nWhen important issues affecting the life of an individual are decided by somebody else, it makes no difference to the individual whether that somebody else is a king, a dictator or society at large.
666360
The United States is not a Democracy.  It is a Republic. A Democracy is generally thought of as being ruled by the people.  We elect representatives to "rule" for us. It would be too hard to run a country as a true Democracy.  All the people would have to vote on everything.  However, We do hold the democratic process, and the people, in high esteem and try to run the country by what most of the people want.
423903
Yes democracy is.The people are the legislature in a democracy.
973550
Your premise is flawed. Criticism & dissent (not hate, silly) are essential to keeping a democracy honest.
702955
In a true Democracy, everyone would vote on every desision.\nSo it's not a true democracy.\nIt is a representative democracy, basically a republic.\nWe vote for the people that will make the decisions instead of voting on every decision.
190518
Democracy is better in any form or shape and like two sides of a coin has its goods and bad...............but you gotto believe in it, the fundamentals of democracy that is right to the people ..............\n\nand isnt corruption also there in any form of government.........think abt 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!!!
1186289
We NEVER had a democracy, just a pathetic illusion of it, and YES the US administration is clearly embracing fascism, but its not slowly, unless your comparing it to the speed of light.
1137231
I hate to admit it but I completely agree with your right to believe that...and I'm not in total disagreement with you. I think that if a Democracy works right it is the greatest form of government. However a Democracy gone bad can be a disgusting beast and all forms of government become corrupt nothing quite like greed and power to cause corruption...Now I can see how someone looking at the current government in the United States and decideing they want no part of a Democracy..Why our government cant understand that I dont understand I truly think we live in the past because we know how great Democracy can be we believe it still is great and that it can be fixed and hopfully it can...but as I said I can completely see your point...but all forms of government eventually become corrupt...you probably stand a better chance of reforming a Democracy..
758451
True democracy is a grand concept, but unworkable in reality. The will of all cannot be appeased because you will never have complete agreement. Therefore we use representative democracy which accounts for the shortcomings of true democracy by catering to the will of the majority. No one is forcing anyone to believe a particular way. We may be manipulated by rhetoric, but you cannot be manipulated if you learn the facts. If you do not learn the facts then by extension you must be happy with the system. Either way people in free societies are not being suppressed, but they are in other forms of government in the world.  As to Iraq we do not have to force the country to accept democracy. What we have to do is give them the opportunity to decide for themselves. In the end democracy may not take there, but the people deserve at least the chance at governing themselves. Lastly, it is apparent you are not a fan of democracy so please propose alternatives. Democracy may not be perfect, but from my vantage point it beats all alternatives hands down.
1127145
In a democracy the masses can vote the posessions and rights from the few.\nIn this hypothetical Democracy \n...there is a guy who owns a movie theater\nthe townspeople get together and decide that movies should be free to everyone.\n\nSensibly, In my country (USA) our forefathers had the sense to create a Republic instead.
909383
Well, I don't think there would be a democracy.....without good education there are no good jobs and without good jobs there is no economy...without the economy.....\n\nwell you know
130946
Hey .. hey .. wait a minute \n\nWhat .. Democracy .. is it Georgie W and Mafiooooos kind of Democracy ur talking about .. ??\n\nIt is non of ur business anyway ..
1130802
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.
374819
Now a days people misuse the term democracy to mean capitalism. Sometimes they go together, but they are two very different concepts that can exist indepent of each other too.