I think that America is very democratic is some ways. After all, it has a wonderful constitution, especially the first Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech. But where America falls down is that huge sums of money is needed for anyone to become President or even senator or congressman. The last Presidential election cost one billion dollars, and of course, American elections go on for two years. What that means is that your local mailman, garbage collector, fireman, or other working class person, is just not going to be able to afford to run for president or any other political office in America.
This is NOT an America bashing thread, but I think it would be good for people to discuss just how democratic or undemocratic the systems of their countries are.
I think that America is more democratic than Australia in that it is a republic and does not have a constitutional monarchy as head of state, but Australia is more democratic that America in that ordinary people have a greater chance of entering politics in Australia because elections here are publicly funded.
What do you think?
One of the problems which so many Americans have is they assume that "democracy" and "majoritarian vote" are essentially the same thing -- that something is fully "democratic" so long as the majority has its way. This is wrong. Re-instituting slavery, for example, would mean denying the vote to slaves and that is obviously anti-democratic, even if achieved through a majority vote. The key is that democracy requires more than just majoritarian votes -- it also requires that everyone have certain levels of equality and equal opportunity. Without that, majoritarian votes can quickly become a dictatorship of the majority over a powerless minority.
This conception of democracy as little more than raw majoritarian power is frequently at the heart of injustice in America: Christian majorities voting to privilege their religion over others, white majorities voting to privilege their race over others, etc. The results of majoritarian votes are used to excuse and validate the harsh exercise of power over the disadvantaged, the poor, and the oppressed. Majoritarian votes are of course important, but untempered by other values like liberty and equality, it's a good path to injustice.
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The courts are the check on the tyranny of the majority. They are supposed to overturn these laws which squelch the rights of minorities. Often they do, but sometimes they don’t.
A lot of people, especially those who are part of these government-privileged majorities, see themselves as being discriminated against when they lose their privileged status after the courts strike down laws which gave them their special status and turn them into “ordinary” folks to be treated just like everyone else.
Similarly, if a discriminated-against minority is given the same rights as the privileged majority already has, the privileged majority sees the minority as being given “special” rights. Same-sex marriage is a good example.
Without wealth, the Constitution means nothing.
America is not, and never has been, a “Democratic” country. For that matter neither has any other.
Even the Greeks and early Romans, who were the progenitors of the democratic idea restricted the “Forum” to people of wealth, and standing, excluding women, slaves and the plebs.
Democracy is when all are equal, and the people themselves have input into the running of the country.
Switzerland has a limited form of this, with referendums on major issues. e.g. entry into E. U. Even they had to be hauled, reluctantly, to be the last advanced country to emancipate women.
You, and we in Australia, periodically have (arguably) democratic elections. This elects the next set of dictators who govern as they wish regardless of previously pronounced policies, and promises.
Additional to the first person regarding the comparatively better electoral system here, I would add that America, often has only a slightly better than 50% average voter turnout..
Australia always has close to 100% Voting is compulsory.
It is arguable regarding the merits of either system. From many years close connection to voting, I can honestly say neither way guarantees an intelligent vote. Nor for that matter election of intelligent candidates.
The most blatant deviation from “Democracy” is when a member is allowed a “Conscience vote.” in the “House.” Usually when a religious principle is involved. Gone is the pretence that they are there to represent the wishes of their electors. The members own personal biases become more important. The usual form is that they vote along party lines, very different to the American system where members are free to vote however they think fit, or very often how their respective lobbyists (Bribers) have dictated they should vote.
We have democracy? George Carling must be laughing in his grave.