Quote:
Originally Posted by Aliantha
Nor do I. However, if it's a democracy and that's what the people want, it shouldn't have anything to do with what the government wants.
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Well technically its is not a "democracy". It is a Republic.
Note here:
http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/Am...ts/demrep.html
Basically in a democracy, the majority rules. A republic is designed to protect the rights of the individual and the minority. That is the way it is suppose to work anyway. It ain't perfect.
As Ben Franklin stated:
'Just after the completion and signing of the Constitution, in reply to a woman's inquiry as to the type of government the Founders had created, Benjamin Franklin said, "A Republic, if you can keep it." '
DEMOCRACY:
A government of the masses.
Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of "direct" expression.
Results in mobocracy.
Attitude toward property is communistic--negating property rights.
Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether is be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences.
Results in demogogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.
REPUBLIC:
Authority is derived through the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them.
Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in accord with fixed principles and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences.
A greater number of citizens and extent of territory may be brought within its compass.
Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy.
Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment, and progress.
Is the "standard form" of government throughout the world.