The Death Of Democracy?

[Laika]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

 

[Revoltingest]

Democracy is as alive now as it's always been.
Perhaps even more so.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

If it's not too far out there, I consider Democracy dieing like when it happened in the fictional movie Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Palpatine deceived everyone, and was met with thunderous applause from a mostly uneducated audience.

 

[Nakosis]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

As long as people remain free to vote for their elected officials.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Democracy is as alive now as it's always been.
Perhaps even more so.

That may be. But if it still must be argued whether it's illegal for an employer to fire an LGBTQ+ for being LGBTQ+, there is still progress to be made.

I'm not saying that there aren't limited cases, like in conservative religious companies, where it shouldn't apply. But quite frankly, too much is still vague and needs better defined, to protect everyone in a better way.

 

[bobhikes]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

When one party rules and makes changes to ensure that they will continue to rule. The politicians have accelerated down that path, laws to block third parties, laws to block voters, changing senate rules so a simple majority wins, Computer assisted gerrymandering.

 

[Polymath257]

As long as people remain free to vote for their elected officials.

Stalin had a quote along the lines that people can vote as long as he gets to count the votes afterward.

Today, the other technique is to gerrymander so that the votes are weighted in favor of one party.

 

[Alea iacta est]

The US is officially not a democracy but a republic.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Could be worse. The Americans and Russians could swap leaders.

 

[Revoltingest]

That may be. But if it still must be argued whether it's illegal for an employer to fire an LGBTQ+ for being LGBTQ+, there is still progress to be made.

I'm not saying that there aren't limited cases, like in conservative religious companies, where it shouldn't apply. But quite frankly, too much is still vague and needs better defined, to protect everyone in a better way.

That's not really about democracy.
But it speaks to a problem inherent in democracy, ie,
the voters often want to curtail the rights of some.

 

[Terry Sampson]

The US is officially not a democracy but a republic.

Is the United States a Republic or a Democracy?

"Is the United States a Republic or a Democracy?
The United States of America is governed as a federal republic, and therefore some argue that the U.S. is not a democracy.

The United States of America is governed as a federal republic, and therefore some argue that the U.S. is not a democracy. A republic is defined as a political system in which the supreme power is vested upon the citizenry that is entitled to vote for its representatives and officers responsible to them, while a democracy is defined as a government of the people and by the people exercised through elected or direct representative. It can be difficult to distinguish between a democracy and a republic, and therefore it would be rational to conclude that the United States is both a democracy and a republic.

Why Is the United States a Republic?
The key difference between a republic and a democracy is not how power is projected, but the limits to power. Both use the representational system, meaning that the citizenry is represented in the government by elected leaders. In both cases, the majority rule, but in a republic the constitution limits how the government can exercise power. These rights are inalienable and cannot be changed or altered by an elected government. The United States is a typical example of a republic state because the constitution limits the power of the government. Some rights such as the Bill of Rights, the right to vote, and the powers to amend the constitution are limited and cannot be changed by the sitting government without consulting the public directly.

Is the United States a Democracy?
The United States is a democracy, but it is not a true democracy. Instead, it is a representative democracy. The common forms of democracy are direct democracy and representative democracy. A direct democracy is a system of government in which the majority have their say on every matter concerning governance. Direct democracies hold referendums each time an issue has to be decided upon because there are no elective representatives. The United States is a representative democracy, as the public elects individuals to represent them at the government level. The United States is also a constitutional democracy, meaning that the functions and roles of the government are governed by the constitution that also protects the rights and privileges of the citizenry regardless of whether they are majority or minority.

Democratic Republics
Modern states present themselves as democratic republics governed by a constitution. The government can amend the constitution through acts of parliaments and referendums. As long as the constitution continues to protect the rights of the people, the citizenry continues to vote for representatives, and the constitution limits the power of the government, the United States remains both a republic and a democracy."

 

[Shad]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual).

No it isn't.

This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

Corruption will always be present.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime?

Something called elections which the US still has. No one has shown any election rigging.

[quote[Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid? [/quote]

Elections which are not rigged for one

 

[Twilight Hue]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Well there's a huge noticeable encroachment of Nanny-ISM and we are slowly becoming a vast surveillance state although not quite as bad as the UK is right now.

To be more direct to your question, I agree I think democracy is dying.

I've noticed a lot of first world 'Free' Nations starting to retch more control and power over its citizens by limiting their choices and curtailing away economic and personal freedoms.

It makes me wonder what things might be like in the next century.

 

[Nakosis]

Stalin had a quote along the lines that people can vote as long as he gets to count the votes afterward.

Today, the other technique is to gerrymander so that the votes are weighted in favor of one party.

We vote the folks in who do the gerrymandering.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Democracy is as alive now as it's always been.
Perhaps even more so.

I tend to agree. The officials are arguing and manipulating, but they are restrained by civil order.

 

[Polymath257]

We vote the folks in who do the gerrymandering.

While true, after the first gerrymander, that effectively means you need super majorities to change things.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

I don't know if it's a clear delineation but there's definitely signs that when taken together point to the death of a democracy - restrictions on the freedom of the press and journalists may be threatened, restrictions on minorities, restrictions on other political parties and people holding other views, heavy use of propaganda with no fact-checking, lies and inaccuracies touted as truth by the government, etc.

 

[Polymath257]

Elections which are not rigged for one

That depends on your perspective. One way to rig an election is to make sure that you get to count and that there be no effective challenge to that count. The lack of a paper trail can hide such. In some locations, this along with easily hacked voting machines is, at least, a concern.

Another way to rig, which is used in many places, the elections are 'free', but only those who are 'in favor' can run for office.

And, finally, yet another way is to have 'free' elections where anyone can run, but where the districts are gerrymandered to prevent a representative count. This is a severe issue in many places in the US. This can be done in such a way that even very lopsided votes will be 'counted' to support the opposite candidate.

 

[sealchan]

The United States is certainly going through some tough times at the moment and it is stretching the definition of what a “democracy” is (at least more than usual). This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

What, therefore, would you regard as the point in which a democracy can be said to be fully “dead”? Where do you draw the line between a democracy and a corrupt authoritarian regime? Or would you argue that a hard, solid line between democracy and dictatorship doesn’t actually exist and its something more fluid?

Thoughts and comments welcome.

US democracy is not dead but it is having a serious illness. I believe that the illness is mainly with how much the Republican/conservatives have embraced conspiracy theories in order to keep their constituents satisfied. Aside from the POTUS doing so (to which I have become numb and have taken to watching the TV series The West Wing for my psychological health) actual Republican Representatives repeating conspiracy theories...because their voters apparently see that as truth.

Congressional Republicans are repeating many baseless conspiracy theories in Trump's impeachment inquiry. Here's why they're all bogus.

My theory is that there is such a readiness for social change that those who want the status quo are really feeling the heat and they have managed to get consolidated and fight hard against that change...but in the end that effort won't be sustained. If Trump is the best leader for that consolidation, do we really have anything to fear long term?

Instead I think that in the end Trump's chaos and lack of character will make us all take the presidency a little less like God-worship and help to show that much that has glommed onto conservative values is most reaction against the very high rate of change in social values.

 

[sun rise]

This is true for many democratic governments around the world as they try to ride the storm of popular anger and institutional corruption.

This is a very critical point which quite a few missed by focusing on the US only. There are times when waves sweep over the world sometimes positive waves and sometimes waves of challenge and even destruction.

This is one such time. To me it's useful to have that perspective and context when learning about what is going on in various places.