Why does the western world always think democracy is good? What's the cost of getting democracy?
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.
1065661
People are pursuing happiness and don't really bother about great ideas.\nOnce the people are well fed and entertained they mechanically lose interest in politics, they still appreciate political scandals though but just as an other form of entertainment.\nDemocracy is thus a very fragile political system because it contains the seeds of its own destruction.\nThe democracy as an ideal will probably survive as long as  there are poor and unhappy individuals who will see it as a mean to improving their condition but even on this front democracy is threatened by inventive regimes like Singapour or China who are developping political systems able to provide wealth an entertainment to the mass without conceding political rights.
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.
819710
I have thought about this before in great depth...\n\nThe answer is that it would be a very bad idea for many reasons. Think about it... what is a democracy really? I mean not the for the ppl by the ppl part but what makes a democracy fair?\n\nFairness of democracy comes from listening to all views but more than that, having different views to listen to.\n\nSo what I am saying is, our planet has countries with monarchies, some with dictatorships, some with direct democracies (socialist Switzerland), republics (USA), etc.., from one point of view a person might think.. we need democracies all over the world.\n\nBUT, if you open your mind a minute and think.... having all these government variances is what actually makes our planet a democracy.\n\nHaving one form of democracy all over the world contradicts the concept of democracy.\n\nBTW, I used democracy as the one global form of government to illustrate my view. The downfalls of other types of government should be translucent.
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!
486475
If the truth be told - there is no such thing as 'democracy' for all, and there never will be.\nSociety needs rules, the moment you have rules, you interfere with someones freedom - that is not democratic.
151854
In theory, a democracy is probably the best forms of government - a government of, by, and for the people. Unfortunately, our current form of government has strayed from these ideals. It's all about the money now. The haves and the have-nots. If 2 letters arrived at the DNC or RNC, one with a campaign contribution of $1000 and one with $10, which would get more attention? Democracy is not dead yet, but she's reeling from the punches.
59448
I think you're right that democracy works better when people are educated than when they're not.  \n\nMore to the point, though, I think democracy works best when people want it.  You know, if you cast off your chains and expel your oppressor, and create a system of laws to govern yourselves--that works a lot better than when someone comes in from the outside, occupies your country, and tries to impose democracy from the top down.  \n\nOver the last few decades, democracy has been spreading, because the U.S. and other democratic nations have been leading by example.  Over the last few years, however, we've been trying to push democracy in an autocratic manner, and that just doesn't work.  The result is that in the Middle East, reformers who used to talk about democracy in the American model now not only can't talk about America, but even democracy has become a dirty word because of the way they've heard it abused.
349974
IN THE DAYS OF THE 18TH CENTURY, THIS COUNTRY WAS SO LARGE THAT A DIRECT DEMOCRACY WAS NOT A VERY GOOD OPTION.  SO THEY WENT WITH THE NEXT BEST THING.  BUT IN TODAYS TIMES, A DIRECT DEMOCRACY IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE WITH THE HIGH TECH COMMUNICATIONS WE HAVE TODAY.  THE CORRUPT SYSTEM WE HAVE TODAY IS PROOF THAT A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IS DOOMED TO FAIL.  A DIRECT DEMOCRACY WOULD BE FAR MORE HONEST.
284553
Because Bush wanted to spread the democracy ?? BULLSHIT !!\nHe wants money, oil, he wants to control the world ...
178565
A French Diplomat said in the late 1700's that the Democracy would last only as long as it took for the masses to realize that they could vote themselves money out of the public trough.\n\nThat's happening now.  Ineligible people are on welfare and unemployment, illegals are clogging our services, and "progressive" politicians are voting more and more benefits.
883099
To be sure that  no one idiot would have power.  Instead they fight until nothing happens or until they can reach a consensus.  Consensus is usually better than a true democracy anyway.  Why?  (and yes, representative democracy is American, not true democracy.)\n\nWhy have half of everyone upset with a decision?  Why not accept something that everyone can swallow without too much issue.  Like for abortions, no one likes them, but how about restrict them to the first trimester but still allow them?  good thinking, good compromise.
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
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..
631113
Because Democracy is so much fun.  We want everyone to enjoy it. OKAY??!!  Coming to a country near you soon!!!
488322
All governments created by mortal men are imperfect. the problem with many of them is greed. our own democracy is suffering now. whether we care to admit it or not.when you consider the fact that we now live under the golden rule he who has the gold makes the rules this is very clear with lobbiest provideing campaign money that ultimately gets there man in office. Democracy may be the best form of government there is but greed and corruption can kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
899745
Our form of democracy is not genuine democracy.  And it works just fine, thanks.  \n\nThe US is a democratic-republic.  Our own concept.