American Democracy: Within the United States of America

From the early 1840s to the present day, a democracy can be described as a flawed establishment which has been shaped by the power of wealth and control, complex social relations, and most importantly the people’s desire to live a fulfilling life. Throughout this time period the principles of democracy, such as equality, protection of the people’s interest, and promotion of human rights were shifting in order to increase the democracy efficiency. Therefore the continued importance of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and Constitution remain significant since, in American today, democracy is a system that is continuously being shaped by the people within it.

The definition of democracy is “a government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system” . In other words, democracy is freedom. A government set up by the people and for the people. This beautiful government was set up by an outstanding group of men that were able to come together and compromise through some of the hardest times in American history. Americans are extremely blessed to live in the country we live in and to have the type of government we have. So many countries around the world have citizens that have no control of how their country is ruled, or who it is ruled by. There are still dictatorships and

The American political system is built on simple but revolutionary principles from our founding Fathers. These principles state that self-governance is an absolute right and the governments purpose is to serve the interests of the people. Characteristics which are essential to a healthy, functioning democracy. But America has stumbled upon a formidable roadblock to the realization of our founding fathers dream, as Lincoln said, of a country that is "of the people, by the people and for the people"( Citizens at Work, 2003). There are many factors that distort this reality and the main

When referring to classical antiquity period, most think of Greece and Rome dominating and flourishing in the areas of philosophy, sciences, mathematics and literature. One other admirable achievement, the establishment of early forms of democracy, came from this time period and should not be overlooked as it is the historical basis of our government today. The Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by Greek and Roman concepts in law, government structure, and even philosophy. Concepts described in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States can be traced back historically to the classical antiquity period, and show that the United States government and law were modeled after those of Greece

I have recently read your novel Democracy in America, and as one of the founding fathers of America, I would like to give you my input. I have my own ideas on how our democracy should be run and can see that we both share similar and contrasting beliefs specifically in relation to the chapter in your novel, “Unlimited Power of the Majority in the United States, and Its Consequences”.

Many people believe that America is a democracy; these people are not wrong; however, the more accurate term would be a ‘representative democracy’. The reason behind this is, as opposed to every citizen going to the polls and voting on each public issue, we have elected officials that vote based on their constituents preferences. Since it is the people that elect these representatives, it is critical that public opinion be taken into consideration. However, regardless of how we gather our data, bias often makes it difficult to accurately gauge public opinion.

The ideals of democracy have been crafted over a span of centuries, yet it is still not in its purest element. The strive to achieve true democracy is rooted in promotion of education and self-preservation of rights. To stimulate this progress, I must acknowledge my obligation as an American citizen before personal interests. I will use my power by informing others of

The United States is usually recognized as a liberal and ideal place to live by most people and countries because of their development of their single most powerful form of government, democracy. The very citizens of the United States believe that it is in their hands to influence all order and management of their beloved and praised country, however, the realism in this system has been blinded by their own people. The United States, though it may seem like a democracy because it emphasizes delegating popular sovereignty, is in no shape or form an absolute democracy where it gives the power to the people to make the decisions or influence law. The contribution of the people is in fact effective and needed, but it is not the citizens who

The United States Government is defined in many different ways. The most common that we hear are the forms of democracy and republic. Although very similar, these are very loose terms when it comes to categorizing our government. The respect for human rights and involvement of the nation’s people have been a main priority in the running of the government since the beginning. Unfortunately, over time, we are seeing our freedoms and individual participation in the governments decisions slowly declining in many aspects. This makes us question the government and our ultimates rights as citizens that we currently have. The support we have for democracy is our support towards religious freedom, worker rights, and also helps create a more stable and affluent system that manages our nation’s control and gives us the ability to have a bigger voices around the world.

The American Democratic system limits the public and their capacity to manage everyday life. When comparing wealthier students to poorer students, it is natural to assume that wealthier students have more privilege over poor students with an education. Opportunities specific for privileged students are provided, unlike poorer counterparts. Poverty-stricken students are exposed to different things than privileged students are, and are forced to meet standards that many cannot such as, “No Child Left Behind Act.” Wealthier children have more of an entitlement than underprivileged people from various states and communities, and this affects personal development. The American Governmental system appeals to the wealthy class, even going as far as acting oblivious towards dramatic issues that primarily affect poverty-engulfed communities such as: artistic and personal expression, wealth mobility, and the educational system inequalities.

We live in this country for the land, and the for the free as Americans we rely on many attributes in this world in order for us to live our lives. Our government has supplied us with many great things for us to be proud of. Our government is “the institutions and processes though which public policies are made for society.” (Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry, p. 7). With all these institutions which includes the President, Congress, the courts and all the federal administrative agencies. These are the institutions that make up public policies for us, and to shape the way we live as Americans. The way this system has been operating through all the years has been

What is America? When answering this question, the word democracy often comes to mind. But what makes America democratic? Common responses would most likely center around the civic opportunity to have a say in governmental representatives. Although this is all true, Nancy Rosenblum would argue America’s democratic society is not centered on the civic involvement in the government, but the democracy of everyday life in neighborhoods. In Good Neighbors, Rosenblum talks about the democracy of everyday life in neighborhoods, which functions on neighbor’s reciprocity, speaking out, and live and let live attitudes. Through these three features among neighborhoods, the democracy of everyday life best resembles the foundation of America’s democracy.

I believe the title of the textbook The Struggle for Democracy aims to explain the people’s fight for equality, either economic, political, or social. As the authors explain in the first chapter, the main idea behind democracy is that the people have the capability of ruling themselves (5). By voting, individuals are making policies that best suit their interests. However, democracy is ruled by the many. Therefore, is a continuous work in progress, for even today’s America, some individuals do not yet have the right to vote, or fail to participate in political decision making. So, based on the title The Struggle for Democracy, I believe this semester will teach me about the political practices in America, for example, the quality of democracy—as to how benefits or provides disadvantage for the people. Moreover, will demonstrate the changes American society and government have experienced over the

Thomas Jefferson once wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Today, this quote stands tall in defining and describing the type of government the United States has created for the people. A democracy is a supreme power

Democracy is a unique type of government, and the purpose of this essay is to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses that a democratic government provides. I will detail that many components of this type of society are both strengths and weakness as each component has beneficial aspects as well as unavoidable pitfalls.