Archive for the ‘Democracy’ Category

Is democracy the best form of government? | Debate.org

Because in Saudi there is a monarch rule and people are happy there but in india democracy is there and people are not happy here . Democracy leads to corruption and corruption leads to pooverty. No maters if a country is ruled by one people or a group of people .Even one person is enough to rule a country if it is good.And if leaders are not good a group of people also cant rule the country..

Well if panda bears really are black and white who is to say that they are Asian? What if butterflies really aren't butter-flies, I see no flies coated with butter flying around here. Having said all that, no... Democracy is not the best form of government, done and dusted. Period.

Because it is a lie. There is no true democracy right now. Majority only decides on candidates for a political office from given list and then the politicians decide instead of rest of population. So the politicians hide behind that lie and almost never go too prison for doing bad things because they have political immunity. So it isn't real democracy it is dream that will never come true.

Dictatorship is the best. It puts people under one leader, which seems to work out. Yes, a dictatorship may not be the most civil way to rule a nation, but it is the most unified what to rule a nation. People are all unified under one leader, and being unified is all that matters.

I think that of the current options it might be the best, but I think democracy has its issues as well. For example, you get other people deciding who is eligible to participate. That is wrong. In the past groups were not allowed to decide because of they were poor or belonged to a race. Its majority rule practice I dislike as well. The majority can dictate how I am supposed to live my life even if they don't participate in what they are dictating about.

Because in Saudi there is a monarch rule and people are happy there but in india democracy is there and people are not happy here . Democracy leads to corruption and corruption leads to pooverty. No maters if a country is ruled by one people or a group of people .Even one person is enough to rule a country if it is good.And if leaders are not good a group of people also cant rule the country..

Logically, a democracy denies the core necessity of a government. If people are too dangerous to be allowed no government, then why would you ask those same people to elect leaders? And then allow those leaders the ability to use other people, with a far more powerful monopoly of force, to stop the dangerous actions of those same people. It's equivalent to having prisoners elect a warden. Secondly, if democracy is used in absolutism, then its no better than mob rule. The only way to elevate this is by some form of Constitutionalism, but all that works for is when people have blind faith in this document and when they don't you go back to mob rule. Various versions of democracy also don't work out because inevitably you have an oligarchy of the powerful or rich like in Republics today. US politics are dominated by the rich and all they do is increase their own power and riches to make decisions.

A better solution to "democracy" is to have a system of force that has only the ability to use its monopoly to prevent basic crimes in small communities and protect the individuals of that system to have the maximum liberty possible. This is best by the advancement of civil institutions; people would be far more involved with this government because this is there communities at work. So a small-timed democracy with no monopoly of power or force in a small community is the only form of democracy that is acceptable.

First all there is no government is good, because it leads to people be oppressed. So anarchy should rule. As anarchy is total freedom, true anarchy I'd no rulers, there are laws made by people who all agreeon the laws. The individual shouldh ave the right do else he please, has long as he hurt no one has in the process.

Democracy is not freedom. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch. Freedom comes from the recognition of certain rights which may not be taken, not even by a 99% vote. Marvin Simkin

We are a Republican Government. Real liberty is never found in despotism or in the extremes of Democracy It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false than this. The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure deformity.~ Alexander Hamilton

Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.~ John Adams, 2nd President of the United States

Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death.~ James Madison, 4th President of the United States, Father of the ConstitutionThe experience of all former ages had shown that of all human governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and short-lived.~ John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States

Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos.~ John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1801-1835

If one cannot be successful in their own personal life and take care of themselves, how could they take care of/control an entire country. Money makes the world go round. Money solves all problems. The poor should not have a say. If they want a say in government then they should work to become wealthy and successful. If you don't have enough drive to be successful then you should not be allowed to have a say or complain about a change in government.

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Is democracy the best form of government? | Debate.org

Project MUSE – Journal of Democracy

Vol. 1 (1990) through current issue

Cited in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Journal of Democracy is an influential international forum for scholarly analysis and competing democratic viewpoints. Its articles have been widely reprinted in many languages. Focusing exclusively on democracy, the Journal monitors and analyzes democratic regimes and movements around the world. Each issue features a unique blend of scholarly analysis, reports from democratic activists, updates on news and elections, and reviews of important recent books.

Published by: Johns Hopkins University Press

E-ISSN: 1086-3214Print ISSN: 1045-5736

Marc F. Plattner

Larry Diamond

Steven R. Levitsky

Lucan A. Way

Anne Applebaum

Sheri Berman

Nancy Bermeo

Ladan Boroumand

Michael Bratton

Daniel Brumberg

Thomas Carothers

Yun-han Chu

Michele Dunne

Donald K. Emmerson

Joo Carlos Espada

Charles H. Fairbanks, Jr.

Abdou Filali-Ansary

Francis Fukuyama

Sumit Ganguly

Bruce Gilley

E. Gyimah-Boadi

Donald L. Horowitz

Richard Joseph

Robert Kagan

Terry Lynn Karl

Ivan Krastev

Peter Lewis

Tarek Masoud

Cynthia McClintock

Michael McFaul

Pratap Bhanu Mehta

Leonardo Morlino

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi

Andrew J. Nathan

Ghia Nodia

Minxin Pei

Benjamin Reilly

Olivier Roy

Andreas Schedler

Lilia Shevtsova

Dan Slater

Alfred Stepan (1936-2017)

Vladimir Tismaneanu

Laurence Whitehead

Philip J. Costopoulos

Brent Kallmer

Elizabeth Kerley

Rachel Bercovitz

Christopher Walker

Shaul Bakhash

Hernando de Soto

Saad Eddin Ibrahim

Byung-Kook Kim

Martin C.M. Lee

Arend Lijphart

Adam Michnik

Ergun zbudun

Condoleezza Rice

Julio Mara Sanguinetti

Philippe C. Schmitter

Natan Sharansky

Lourdes Sola

Hung-mao Tien

1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004Tel.: 202-378-9900 Email:jod@ned.org

Marc F. Plattner

Larry Diamond

Steven R. Levitsky

Lucan A. Way

Anne Applebaum

Sheri Berman

Nancy Bermeo

Ladan Boroumand

Michael Bratton

Daniel Brumberg

Thomas Carothers

Yun-han Chu

Michele Dunne

Donald K. Emmerson

Joo Carlos Espada

Charles H. Fairbanks, Jr.

Abdou Filali-Ansary

Francis Fukuyama

Sumit Ganguly

Bruce Gilley

E. Gyimah-Boadi

Donald L. Horowitz

Richard Joseph

Robert Kagan

Terry Lynn Karl

Ivan Krastev

Peter Lewis

Tarek Masoud

Cynthia McClintock

Michael McFaul

Pratap Bhanu Mehta

Leonardo Morlino

Continued here:
Project MUSE - Journal of Democracy

Capitalism v. Democracy: Money in Politics and the Free …

As of the latest national elections, it costs approximately $1 billion to become president, $10 million to become a Senator, and $1 million to become a Member of the House. High-priced campaigns, an elite class of donors and spenders, superPACs, and increasing corporate political power have become the new normal in American politics. In Capitalism v. Democracy, Timothy Kuhner explains how these conditions have corrupted American democracy, turning it into a system of rule that favors the wealthy and marginalizes ordinary citizens. Kuhner maintains that these conditions have corrupted capitalism as well, routing economic competition through political channels and allowing politically powerful companies to evade market forces. The Supreme Court has brought about both forms of corruption by striking down campaign finance reforms that limited the role of money in politics. Exposing the extreme economic worldview that pollutes constitutional interpretation, Kuhner shows how the Court became the architect of American plutocracy.

Capitalism v. Democracy offers the key to understanding why corporations are now citizens, money is political speech, limits on corporate spending are a form of censorship, democracy is a free market, and political equality and democratic integrity are unconstitutional constraints on money in politics. Supreme Court opinions have dictated these conditions in the name of the Constitution, as though the Constitution itself required the privatization of democracy. Kuhner explores the reasons behind these opinions, reveals that they form a blueprint for free market democracy, and demonstrates that this design corrupts both politics and markets. He argues that nothing short of a constitutional amendment can set the necessary boundaries between capitalism and democracy.

About the author

Timothy K. Kuhner is Associate Professor at Georgia State University College of Law. He teaches mainly in the areas of international and comparative law. Before moving to Atlanta, Tim spent three years as Associate Professor of Anglo-American Law at the University of Navarra in Spain. During this time, he researched the role of money in politics in Western European democracies. Educated at Bowdoin College and Duke Law School, but inspired by foreign viewpoints, Tim brings a wide-ranging, critical perspective to the study of democratic integrity.

"In Capitalism v. Democracy, Professor Timothy Kuhner convincingly shows that by blurring the line between economic and democratic values and rationalities, the legal regime governing money in politics has made this corrosion manifest. Professor Kuhner's impressive book brings economic and political theory to bear on the evolution of the constitutional law of democracy, which he argues not only permits but "amplifie[s]" the substitution of democratic values for free-market notions of economic competition in the political sphere . . . Professor Kuhner's timely book will interest scholars and reformers alike."

Harvard Law Review

"This book made me realize just how dangerous supreme courts can be for matters of inequality and democracy."

Thomas Piketty, Author of Capitalism in the Twenty-First Century

"Law professor Timothy Kuhner has written an exhaustive, learned analysis of the Supreme Court's campaign finance jurisprudence, drawing on legal, political science, and economics perspectives. It is at the same time a sustained, passionate polemic against the contributions of the Roberts Court to that jurisprudence . . . The book is essential for those interested in election law or campaign finance reform, and makes useful contributions in the fields of political economy and democratic theory."

Daniel Hoffman, Law and Politics Book Review

"As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, Capitalism v. Democracy: Money in Politics and the Free Market Constitution is a minor masterpiece of political science and judicial scholarship. A seminal contribution to academic library collections, Capitalism v. Democracy is exceptionally well-written, organized, and presented, making it ideal for the non-specialist general reader seeking a better and non-partisan understanding of the impact money has on democracy and the American political system."

Jack Mason, Midwest Book Review

"Timothy Kuhner is one of today's most important young legal thinkers. Bringing a highly sophisticated understanding of both law and economics to bear on the critical relationship between democracy and the 21st century marketplace, Capitalism v. Democracy avoids easy answers and empty slogans. A must-read for anyone concerned with the health of American constitutional democracy, regardless of political inclinations."

Jefferson Powell, Duke University School of Law

"After Citizens United and McCutcheon, it is essential to think about the relationship of money to politics and the rights of corporations in our constitutional democracy. Timothy Kuhner has written a brilliant examination of these issues. All concerned with American democracy (which should be all of us) need to read this insightful book about political power at a time when money, and the corporations that possess it, have increasing influence."

Erwin Chemerinsky, University of California, Irvine School of Law

"This powerfully written work teaches us a fundamental lesson about American politics today: that the demand for reform is not partisan. From the Right and Left, Kuhner shows why the rules that corrupt both democracy and capitalism must change."

Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Law School

Original post:
Capitalism v. Democracy: Money in Politics and the Free ...

Advantages and Disadvantages of Democracy | APECSEC.org

Democracy is a term given to political systems that require a popular vote, or representative election, to take place in order to choose officials and leaders of a country. This means that the leaders are chosen by the people. Many of the worlds most successful countries operate underneath a democratic system, including the United States of America. While it is renowned as one of the most efficient government systems ever, it is not without flaws. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of democracy.

Protects the Interest of CitizensThe citizens of a democratic government have the right to vote on political, social, and economical issues as well as the representatives that they want to be in charge of major decisions, like the President. This greatly protects the citizens from anything they disagree with occurring.

Promotes EqualityDemocracy is generally based on the rule of equality. This means that all members of a country or a state are equal in the eyes of law. Every individual has the right to enjoy and experience equal economic, political and social rights and the state is not allowed to discriminate citizens on the standard of sex, caste, property and religion.

Responsibility and Stability in Administration Democracy is recognized for its efficiency, firmness and stability. When there is fixed and elected representatives, a more stable and responsible government is formed. The administration is also conducted and ruled with sense of dedication and responsibility. Individuals under a democratic system discuss matters and issues thoroughly in order to come up with reasonable decisions.

Helps Make Good Citizens Democracy aids in creating the ideal environment for the improvement of personality and cultivation of character and good habits. According to experts, democracy seems to be the very first schools for good citizenship. This is where individuals learn about their duties and rights starting from their birth until the time of their death.

Promotes Change Democracy paved the way for changes in the government without having the use any form of violence. This makes people feel great and provide them with ideal sense of involvement and participation.

Misuse of Time and Public FundsDemocracy can also lead to wasted resources and time. This also takes huge time in law formulations. Also, lots of money is being spent during election. There is also the possibility of being ruled by irresponsible and incompetent leaders who just waste public funds for their recreations and tours.

Wrong Choice Not all individuals under a democratic country are aware of political and social circumstances in their country. Some of them are not even acquainted with political issues. This may lead to erroneous decisions and selection in the event of elections.

Give More Emphasis on Quantity instead of QualityAnother disadvantage of democracy is that this gives more emphasis on quantity instead of quality in terms of services. There is also the possibility of being governed by incompetent and irresponsible leaders. Some says that under this political system, there is no equality for only the rich and famous are prioritized and not the poor.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Democracy | APECSEC.org

Democracy – Learn English

Develop your reading skills. Read the following text about Democracy and do the comprehension questions

The term Democracy comes from the Greek words dmos (people) and Kratos (power). In its literal meaning, democracy means the "rule of the people". In fact it is a form of government in which all eligible people have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy as a political systems existed in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.

Equality and freedom have both been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times.These principles are reflected in all citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizens is secured by legitimized rights and liberties which are generally protected by a constitution.

There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedom for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not structured so as to prohibit the government from excluding the people from the legislative process, or any branch of government from altering the separation of powers in its own favor, then a branch of the system can accumulate too much power and destroy the democracy. Separation of powers is a model of governance under which the state is divided into branches, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility so that no one branch has more power than the other branches. The normal division of branches is into an executive, a legislature, and a judiciary.

Source: Wikipedia

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Democracy - Learn English