The USA is the only Democratic Country in the World. Discuss.

[Stefu]

What is this mysterious, magical 'constitution' thing? Surelu US must be only country possessing it!

[MrFun]

Re: The USA is the only Democratic Country in the World. Discuss.

Originally posted by OzzyKP
There are sacred rights that are very difficult to overturn on a whim like in a pure democracy.

So you were not aware of the fact that black men were giving the franchisement in 1870, and then by the 1890's, had the franchisement taken away from them?? Not regaining the franchisement until the 1960's??

You were also not aware that anytime gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are given the same equal rights that heterosexuals have in any state, that it risks being rescinded if the political domination changes in the next four years??

You were also not aware that in our democracy, the institution of the death penalty is entrenched in racism??

[Shi Huangdi]

"The UK system has its own checks and balances that work pretty well, they're just more organic than the US system"

I don't deny that there are some checks and balances in Britain, just that they are alot weaker then in the United States. For one, because the PM must always have a legislative majority, there can never be devided government in almost all instances. In the USA it is much more rare to see a non-devided government. And while Labour is not a single entity, it is alot more closely unified then the Republicans and the democrats. It is true that in Britain there are intra-party rivalries just as they are in the US- but on policy issues Labour is usually more unified. Congress, the same party as the president or not, often has different views on legislation then the president and try to influence the legislation to their likely. Congressmen of a certain party many times side with the opposition on any given vote, which can often decide whether a bill passes or not. In Britain, backbencher revolts do happen, but it is rare that the government's legislation is actually voted down in the commons. Overall, Blair has a much better chance of getting his legislation through the legislature then Bush does.

[H Tower]

Re: I would agree.

Originally posted by Il Duce
THe US system is much more efficient

It is?

[- Groucho -]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
Overall, Blair has a much better chance of getting his legislation through the legislature then Bush does.

You make some good points. But, remember, it isn't always Blair's legislation. He may like to think he is, but he isn't a president. If Gordon Brown isn't behind a financial act, Blair would be very hard pressed to get it passed. A big difference between US and UK politics is that in the US, major disagreements happen in front of the cameras. In a parliamentary system, the disputes happen in cabinet or in caucus, so they are not as publicised. But they certainly exist.

[Zkribbler]

America is becoming less democratic and more plutocratic everyday.

It doesn't matter what political label is placed on a politicial if they're all owned by the same clique of corporations.

[Urban Ranger]

How is it democratic when the current US president doesn't even have popular mandate?

[monkspider]

I usually find Ozzy to be a fairly sensible guy, and I generally don't disagree with him on a large number of things, inevitable philosophical differences between a Communist and Librertarion not withstanding.
But come now Ozzy, to declare the US the only democratic nation is a bit much. I am understandably biased on this subject, but the power of corporations and various interest groups on the electoral process in the USA certainly can't be understated. At very least, it must be taken into serious consideration when considering the "freedom" of the United States compared to other countries.

[kolpo]

Not only the USA has build in safety mechanisms. Belgium for example has it also. Every year get many laws canceled and rewriten because the Belgian variant of the supreme court dedices taht they are against the contitution or are paradoxal with other laws(you may not have law A where you forbid having bears and law B where people are given the right to have bears in the same law because that's paradoxal, laws must be clear).

In Belgium would changing anything in the contitution take a long time, mostly longer then the time a government is in charge and it can always until accomplished be canceled. So if the people are really against a proposed consitution change will they vote for the opposition who will then form the next government and cancel the change in constitution. I think it is easier to add amandaments in the US then in Belgium.

But that build in safety mechanism is not undemocratic because they majority of the people like it.

[orange]

well we DID invent democracy

[Dis]

democracy can't be invented

[monkspider]

Technically, democracy was first used by the Athenians, as I'm sure many Greek members of our community will be quick to let you know.

[orange]

we also invented SARCASM

[Ned]

Originally posted by Echinda
That is awfully long-winded for a troll.

Tell us how wonderful the US's checks and balances would have worked if one Vermont Senator had not pushed the balance to the Democrats in the Senate and Rehnquist (73), Stevens (81) and O'Connor (71) all retire from the supreme court or simply die after a long stressful life?

Republican President, Republican Senate, Republican House and Strict Constructionist Supreme Court. Pretty much free reign to do as Bush pleases until the Republicans lose an election.

Idiot.

[Adalbertus]

Ozzy, you seem to confuse "democracy" and "supposedly most stable system close to a democracy".

So, just to say something different, Switzerland is the most democratic country in the world. They have so many plebiscites that the citizens almost are bored of it.