Democracy In The United States

When the United States (or any other nation) is referred to as a “democratic republic” we then know two things about that nation’s system of government. First, the term “democratic” tells us that the citizens of a nation rule its government and that those citizens are afforded certain rights. These rights include the right of speech, free press, free elections, and religious freedom. Secondly, the term “republic” refers to the process of a nation’s citizens voting in/electing their own representatives. So, when someone describes the United States as a “democratic republic” they are simply stating that we the citizens rule our government, that we have certain rights, and that we choose our representatives. An example that demonstrates that the U.S. is a democratic government is our Constitution. Our constitution helps to limit the power of the government and keep the power in the hands of the people, therefore making us democratic. While an example illustrating that the U.S. is a republic is Election Day where we elect our president.

Democracy, a form of government where significant power is vested in the people and the people exercise their power by electing representatives or exercise their power directly by themselves via assembly. The U.S. Constitution was once considered to be Democratic – however – after an examination of the 3 branches of government the U.S. Constitution has some seemingly undemocratic attributes. There are features in all 3 branches that makes the U.S. Constitution seem undemocratic. The Executive Branch is undemocratic in the presidential election, specifically the Electoral College. The Legislative Branch is undemocratic in the Senatorial and House of Representative representation of the states. Lastly, the Judicial Branch is undemocratic due to its power of Judicial Review and the appointment process of new judges. Nevertheless, despite these features, I do not believe the U.S. Constitution should be truly classified as an undemocratic government.

The first article “We’re a Republic”, states that we the United States of America do indeed have a republic government. People tend to walk around believing that we are a democracy, but that’s only because they think of democracy in a different way. We see democracy as in we the people get the say in what the government does, when in fact true democracy is making decisions through voting or meetings. The Framers never intended for the United States be a democracy. They believed being a democracy was dangerous and not a good idea. The constitution clearly states that we are meant to be a republic, where representatives make the decisions for us. I agree, not only do we pledge to the republic but we also elect officials to speak and make decisions for us, which is basically what a republic consists of.

Because republican and democratic systems are similar in outward appearances, it is easy to understand why a lot of people are confused in thinking the American government is a democracy. The United States is not a true democracy but a blend of a republic and democratic system. Both systems are based on government by popular consent, and have many similar attributes but with specific details of ideology that set them apart from each other. Both systems also believe in safeguarding the rights of individuals but democracy has an emphasis on property rights. A republic is ruled by the people through layers of representatives that are elected to act on the behalf of the common good. While democracy is ruled by the people also, it can either be directly or indirectly. (pg. 17)

The United States is a nation that has constantly prided itself on the democratic system of government that it possesses, but how democratic is the system really? A democracy is a form of government where the power truly lies in the hands of the people, whether shown through direct or indirect elections of representatives and laws. Based on this definition, the Constitution, the very entity of US government, is democratic based on the initial convention held to ratify it that was based on representatives of the people and that it can be amended with enough support from individuals and their representatives. The Constitution establishes a democracy because it was ratified by representatives of the people and can be amended by representatives

The United States has an unstable democratic standing. What has happened in the United State shows the US not fully democratic. Issues that the US had been unfair treatment of people who aren’t white, voting rights not being given, and relocation towards a certain race, which has done nothing wrong. People also faced issues that couldn’t be avoided with rights. The United States is not democratic as everyone thinks. Equality and voting rights are something for all and within our amendment. Imprisonment or relocation of a race that has done nothing wrong. Americans also were faced the government for something that many didn’t wish for. The US has to change to be a better place for all.

Since the beginning of American Democracy it has been morphed from the founder’s format. With all its changes, it still functions as a well-constructed form of democracy that supports our nation. American democracy has both strengths and weaknesses. Government spending or over-spending is a core issue facing our nation in these economically troubled times. There are many points to be addressed regarding American government today.

Democracy, by definition it is the practice of participation of the people in choosing their rulers, and the ability to influence what rulers do. The origins of the word Democracy are taken from the Greek word “dēmokratiā”, which “demos” meaning people and “kratos” meaning rule. Therefore getting the very definition of democracy, where political power ultimately comes from the people. As the United States has progressed onto new eras so has the way many Americans, Politicians, and even our government has changed. Changes such as that will start to question if we really are a Democracy. Events from racism in the 1920’s, women gaining voting rights, and even things as unfair Presidential results form many suspicions

Many of us go about our lives taking many things for granted. One of those things being our freedom. We never stop to ask ourselves, how democratic is our country? If we take a closer look at the origin of our Constitution, our government, and our country we can have a better idea and draw more accurate conclusions to our questions. Our Constitution was written by the Framers in order to establish a national government and set the basis of laws in our country.

While the United States is often referred to as a democracy, it is not (Cronkhite, 2013). In a true democracy everyone would have the choice to do as they please and the result would be lawlessness. In a true democracy each individual would choose to do as they pleased, there would be no uniformity as to what acts are legal or illegal. The United States is a republic where the majority rules. Representatives are elected by a majority of voters to enact laws. This allows for the maximum freedom for all individuals (Cronkhite, 2013). Under a republic, individuals give up some rights in order to guarantee that they have others and in order to be able to peaceably coexist with others (Cronkhite, 2013).

Knowing if America is either of them or a mix, it is no longer a phenomenon because since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, this country has progressed into a democracy. Women’s Suffrage helped democracy progress even further. The 60’s is when America really started to show the power of democracy, women’s rights. The Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission regulated corporate campaign contributions, helping close the gap. America has changed over time and may not have always been a democracy, plutocracy, or an oligarchy. With the evidence provided, the United States of America is between an ideal democracy and a democracy. The way things are going in the country, it may change, but for now it is a

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

Democracy is when the people vote for elected officials and new policies to represent them in government; this is usually decided by the majority. Freedom is the ability to think or speak as one desires, without restriction. As it pertains to the United States, freedom is the ability to think or speak as one desires, so long as it does not infringe on the freedom of another or violate any laws. As you stated, many Americans did not support the court-packing plan because they believed that the Supreme Court should be free of political interference, just as people wanted freedom in their lives. In an article titled, “Roosevelt announces “court-packing” plan”, written by the History.com Staff, it mentions that people immediately accused

Being part of a democracy means that the majority will prevail over the minority with no written constitution or rules to keep the minority from being over powered. Where as a republic has a written constitution for rules that are used to keep the majority from overpowering the minority.  Just defining these two words one can say being apart of a republic seems more fair than a democracy, since there are rules that everyone must follow to keep everything fair and just. In this day in age it just seems that the rules are pushed aside and either party that is in charge can just do as they please. If our way of life were actually followed by the constitution I am all for being a republic. But we all know that it isn’t something that is followed all the time no matter what. So let’s find out which one is better than the two a democracy or a republic.

Oftentimes, when you ask the average American what their government is they tend to think of the United States as a democracy. However, others find this to be untrue because, in a democracy the people themselves get together and vote on laws, in the United States, elected representatives do – and, therefore, the U.S. is a constitutional republic.