Democracy verses a Republic

[Lik3]

Can or should the United States have more of a lassez faire government or rather, economy? What are the differences between a democracy and a republic? I understand that we are supposedly a democracy where majority rules but the minority have their rights, but whenever our government officials talks about foreign countries, they always want those other countries to be democratic. Why can't other countries be republic as written in the Constitution?

I know that we are a nation of laws but I think that our government has gotten too big no thanks to the Democrats and the Republicans. I know that other nations such as Iraq or Afghanistan could have been better off if they were truly more of a republic than a democracy; correct me if I am wrong there. I think that our foreign and immigration policies are lousy. It seems to me either corrupt governments make it easier for their powers or rather the government expand to benefit them. Would a republic as it is written into the Constitution benefit the American people, especially if the government would be much smaller?

 

[Eudaimonist]

Can or should the United States have more of a lassez faire government or rather, economy?

That is my view. The United States should have much freer markets and lower taxes.

What are the differences between a democracy and a republic?

A republic has stronger constitutional limits against the tyranny of the majority than a pure democracy does. A republic aims to be a nation of laws rather than of men.

I understand that we are supposedly a democracy where majority rules but the minority have their rights, but whenever our government officials talks about foreign countries, they always want those other countries to be democratic. Why can't other countries be republic as written in the Constitution?

Being democratic does not imply not being a republic. The US is a democratic republic as opposed to a pure democracy.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[SkyWriting]

Can or should the United States have more of a lassez faire government or rather, economy? What are the differences between a democracy and a republic? I understand that we are supposedly a democracy where majority rules but the minority have their rights, but whenever our government officials talks about foreign countries, they always want those other countries to be democratic. Why can't other countries be republic as written in the Constitution? I know that we are a nation of laws but I think that our government has gotten too big no thanks to the Democrats and the Republicans. I know that other nations such as Iraq or Afghanistan could have been better off if they were truly more of a republic than a democracy; correct me if I am wrong there. I think that our foreign and immigration policies are lousy. It seems to me either corrupt governments make it easier for their powers or rather the government expand to benefit them. Would a republic as it is written into the Constitution benefit the American people, especially if the government would be much smaller?

In a republic, you don't do everything. You pick people to write laws and vote them into place.
This saves time. In california you can push for a direct popular vote on anything. One person said "Stop Energy increases!"
The majority agreed and rates were frozen. Soon there rolling blackouts. Low rates, (but not electricity) all week long.
After a few months the rates were allowed to change again. This solved the blackout problem.

Our system uses popular votes to elect government officials to do all the work of providing government services.

 

[SkyWriting]

In a republic, you don't do everything. You pick people to write laws and vote them into place.
This saves time. In california you can push for a direct popular vote on anything. One person said "Stop Energy increases!"
The majority agreed and rates were frozen. Soon there rolling blackouts. Low rates, (but not electricity) all week long.
After a few months the rates were allowed to change again. This solved the blackout problem.

Our system uses popular votes to elect government officials to do all the work of providing government services.

Some countries are not familiar with popular voting systems. They suck, but it's the best we have come up with.

 

[Archivist]

Can or should the United States have more of a lassez faire government or rather, economy? What are the differences between a democracy and a republic? I understand that we are supposedly a democracy where majority rules but the minority have their rights, but whenever our government officials talks about foreign countries, they always want those other countries to be democratic. Why can't other countries be republic as written in the Constitution? I know that we are a nation of laws but I think that our government has gotten too big no thanks to the Democrats and the Republicans. I know that other nations such as Iraq or Afghanistan could have been better off if they were truly more of a republic than a democracy; correct me if I am wrong there. I think that our foreign and immigration policies are lousy. It seems to me either corrupt governments make it easier for their powers or rather the government expand to benefit them. Would a republic as it is written into the Constitution benefit the American people, especially if the government would be much smaller?

Actually the United States is a democratic republic, "a political system in which citizend have power but it is run by elected representatives." (Merriam-Webster)