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Originally Posted by baloney_detector  Although I am unsure what you mean by the phrase "functional democracy," the US government surely works as a democratic republic in the sense that the people vote for representatives who, in turn, forge policies.
Would you mind stating why you think the US doesn't have a "functioning democracy"...keeping in mind the fact that the US government, by design, is a democratic republic? | When one posits a "functional democracy", one would presuppose this system promotes change by the people. In other words, a "functional democracy" where as a "democracy" - being a system of government where all power is reserved to the people - is "functional" - being that the people can and do healthily exercise this power in order to promote change.
The United States does not have a functional democracy but a functional plutocracy. Power is not retained in the hands of the people but in the hands of the ruling elite. Likewise, true democratic sentiments are squashed in a two party system primarily dominated by plutocrats, which inevitably, although differ in some minute way, offer no real opportunity toward any kind of relevant change. Likewise, a healthy democracy can only flourish with a well-educated populace. The voting population of the United States doesn't even reach a majority of all citizens; therefore even if one were to suggest our voting powers as evidence of democracy, you're still looking at the rule of a minority 'elite'.. And when one 'votes' for a different government, there really is no substantial change in how the United States government operates (I cited the Johnson v. Goldwater election as just a small example). "If you want to achieve peace of mind and happiness, then have faith; if you want to be a disciple of truth, then search" -- Friedrich Nietzsche
Economic Left/Right: -9.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.72
Last edited by Katczinsky; 07-17-2007 at 06:43 PM.
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07-17-2007, 02:05 PM
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