Do you think the United States is a Democracy a Republic or Other — Why do you choose your answer?

Question

I added these pictures for thought not answers. I find scholars & political scientists tend to have very different perspective on the very same subject.

Well, ask 10 different experts, expect to find 10 different answers but rest assured they will ALL be experts 😆

Do you think the United States is a Democracy a Republic or Other — Why do you choose your answer?

Makeushiver · Accepted Answer

It think it's either an oligarchy or a plutocracy. Behind almost every election is money and power. In the early part of th 20th century the establishment had the poulation of this country convinced that we were in a battle that pitted "democracy" vs. Communism". Though a lot of it stemmed from a few big assholes, most of the country was convinced that communism was evil. Of course it was caopitalism and capitalists that crested the red scare. The last thing people like thw Koch brothers in Kansas wanted was an equitable distribtion of the wealth. Communism is an ecconomic system and democracy is a opolitical system so it didn't make any sense at all. In the late 19th century there were 2 powerful fiorces at work in the US economy, 1) incredibly rich titans of the Gilded age including Rockefeller, Carnegie, Ford, Vanderbilt etc. and 2) organized labor. The rich and powerful had 2 enemies, the unions and the liberal social concience. The capitalists were busy disproving everything that Adam Smith ( writer of Wealth of Nations the bible of the oligarchs and a few brave muck raking journalists. This was in an era when there were no minimum wage laws, overtime, child labor, no disability or retirement and no income tax until 1914. The conservative movement had a run of nobodies or presidents, Hrding, Coolidge and Hoover. The capitalists of the time had practices like the following: Every year Henry Ford tried to force down the price of labor. He traveled to Europe every year and would go to a new centrsl european countries to try to find workers who had replaced their predecessors via the same route, with a new nationality willing to work for a liitle less money than the ones he had. When he found new workers he replaced the current ones who had the temerity to want to keep the $5 a day job they had when Ford had boatloads of people willing to work for $4.00/day. The US oligarchs routinely hired the kmilitary to use against striking workers. Ford used the National Guard and had at least 4 US citizens killed in one strike. In Colrado, miners who worked for Rockefeller were on strike and living in tents outside the mines they had been excavating. When Rockefeller's representative found out that the mminer's had brought their wives and children to the camp where the striking miner's were he was concerned about the strike cutting into profits,. He ordereed the tents of the camp to be destroyed by fire. The strikers were worried that the military hired by Rockefeller would open fire with automatic weapons soo they had the women and children buried somewhat. They hadn't anticipated getting torched and when it happened the women and children couldn't escspe as they were dug in concerned about bullets. The fire killed most of the women and children and a good # of the miners. Depite the fact that FDR was a democrat the power elite still believed that Franklin couldn't be any more than a superficial democrat. Throughot the roaring 20s, financiers were busy doing hat they always do, tried to find a way to make more $, legally they preferred but it wasn't a big deal whether it was legal or not; often operating in a gray area between laws and enriched themselves with practices that included overleveraging the amount of equities they controlled during the roaring 20s. They had little regulation under the Republican presidents in the 20s. When the inevitable crash came government did nothing. Tent cities were growing outside of cities. WWI veterans had started camping out in DC getting mad that the bonds they has been promised for the service in first World War had never been issued. Douglas MacArthur stopped looking in the mirror long enough to be his usual patsy for Republicans thought the best idea was to shoot the veterans camping out. They hated MacArthur but loved Elenor Roosevelt, Franklin's wife who would bring them food and listen to them. Meanwhile FDR started passing legislation which was bitterly opposed by conservatives; minimum wage, overtime and lawas concerniung child labor. The conservatives thought he was a traitor. Much in the same way LBJ was thought to be when he continued Kennedy's attempts to establish pprograms like Medicare. Every law that improved the lot of labor was opposed ferociously by conservatives including Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment Insurance etc. Though every conservative candidate since then has claimed to be the protector of all of these benefits they had all been fought against by their predecessors. The last big recession 2007-2010 was trhe result of a husband and wife team of Phil and Wendy Gramm ( should be arrested for treason) worked in the Clinton administration and argued that US banks couldn't compete due to the regulations on them and repealed a great deaal of the regulation that had been in place since the New Deal. Despite the fact that the Savings and Loan industry had been cratered a decade earlier by S&Ls in Texas and eventually elsewhere. The Gramm's were more responsible than anyone or anything else for the debacle. If any industry is completely incapable of legislating itself it is commercial and invetmment banking. Throughout all of this capitalism has blinded US citizens by screaming "Communist". A woman named Ida Tarbell, writing for Collier's in the 1920s had shown jjust what unbridled capitalism does. Instead of making things cheaper and better in order to win customers, capitalism creates trusts & monopolies many of whom offer a bit cheaper procing to consumers becausee they want to establish a monopoly at which point they can charge whatever the want. Reading Ms. Tarbell and Upton Sinclair who wrote about the evils of the meatpacking undustry of Chicago in The Jungle and about the utter lack of morals in the make up of Crocker, Vanderbilt, Pullman, Huntington, & Stanford the prime movers in the abuses the railroad profiteers in The Octopus. Despite the favorite phrase used by tycoons, "the invisible hand" a phrase used once in the over 1,000 pages of Adam Smith's conservative bible, capitalism under the gilded age capitalists used tactics like undercutting competitors oil prices in order to create a monopoly. The left often creates unwieldy commitees and difficult to change government subsidies which the right points out with a degree of truth in that observation. What the talking heads on Fox news fail to point out is that the tilt of the playing field to the rich and powerful in government is far more than what the cost of food stamps might be.
Thge last time this country had a budget surplus was during the Clinton administration. Since then we have fought two wars. One was a badly executed but legitimate search for Bin Laden. The second was an issue bvetter suited to a psychaitrists couch when George Jr. decided to demonize the leader that the US fgovernment had supported with moneyt and weapons for the previous decades, Saddam Hussein. Since he was unpopular due to his record as a businessman, George Bush asked US citizens how he should spend the surplus given to him by the Clinton's. Though the population of the US was asked how this money should be spent, there was no demand for a tax cut. Despite a prudent idea of saving this surplus for the inevitable rockier times in the future he offered a tax cut. The same way that Trump offered it to individuals. In both cases this was accomplished by that presidential capability of reconciliation. That way he doesn't need to riskk the lack of support that wouuld come from trying to pass legislation. The Trump tax laws were the same as far as individual tax cuts though the corporate tax cuts were made law the individual tax cuts- not even cuts really as the overall tax cut remained the same or more onerous except for the very wealthy.. The corporate tax cuts were supposed to encourage comanies to spend more on R&D and on wages. If so, they would have benefitted society. What no one fore saw was what the corporations did with the huge tax cuts, share buybacks. This only benefits the shareholders of a company. The majority shareholders of every pyblicly traded company are the Executive suite VPs and corporate executives. So a financial move that will hobble the US economy far longer than Trump will be around served to enrich the few to people in every publicly traded company. No wage increases for rank and file, not R&D that would benefit the white collar workers and consumers in general. The only thing accomplished by this was another demonstration of the utter failure of trickle down economics was in the Trump change in tax laws, The corporate reduction in taxes- the cost of which will never be fully recognized. The evisceration of the US economy will last a long time. Many people will be blamed for this anchor in the US economy but the criminal mind behind it, Donald Trump, will have kicked the can far enough down the road to escape any blame for his lack of intelligence, foresight, and narcissism.

So, I guess "other"

rtj1211 · Accepted Answer

The original aims of the Founding Fathers may well have been a Democratic Republic, however the way that the USA is now governed by elites means that it is neither democratic, nor is the constitution any longer sacrosanct from belligerent elites.

You in the USA don't have a true voting choice - all the billionaire oligarchs in your nation ensure that whichever of the Democrats or Republicans are in power, they get what want, which is usually getting richer. Why they need more money now is beyond me, but some people say that the very rich cross a fault-line, whereby nothing thereafter is ever enough.

You need electoral systems where it is realistic for independent candidates to get elected, where a geniunely third party not controlled by billionaires can have aspirations to legitimate power. You need to get rid of your addiction to soundbites and TV advertising. You want democracy, get out and confront your candidates face to face with questions and don't back down unless they answer them.

As for your constitution, it may have been ahead of its time in 1776, but it was also of its time in terms of a 'wild west lawlessness' that pervaded across the reality of early USA. Your constitution overemphasises individual rights and is far too silent on the need for responsibilities, intergenerational obligations and societal contributions.

Finally, a large number of you need to grow up about what communism actually is. Most non-US citizens have contempt for how the US media, politics and ground-level discussion considers everything to the left of fairly right wing politics to be communism. It absolutely is NOT. You aren't capable of having a democracy until you are capable of discussing the rights and wrongs of left wing politics without never-ending smearing, trashing and humiliation.

dustybiker · Accepted Answer

Neither. Sadly, it’s become a very selfish joke. The “United” States has never been united on anything. I seriously doubt it ever will be.

The supplied description images of democracy and republic are pretty inaccurate. The images must have been taken off a falsely angled site. Democracy isn’t about giving up rights. Individual or property. I have issues with the republic here too.

Democracy

Republic

Agape93 · Accepted Answer

Neither. We are a demagogic, authoritarian police state. We have the trappings of a free society but 30% of the nation wants to strip 50% of the nation to rights over their own bodies, against the wishes of 70%of the nation.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it is probably best described as 'a fascist electronic police state'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_state

This is a wider problem than just the United States though, the same corruption which controls the US also controls most if not all of the 'Western world' to greater or lesser degree.

It is certainly evident in the UK where I live but it seems far more obvious in the US, though that could just be because the propaganda is tailored to work on each country, so what works in the States would not work in the UK and the US has a lot of presence and exposure it is easily seen from outside.

On the surface the US is said to be 'the land of the free' and that is true to some degree but it is really a matter of whether or not what you are doing is likely to impact on the existing power structure, if you aren't actually a threat then it is better to just leave you alone and allow you to be white noise but you are seen as a threat then you will be murdered, like JFK for example.

https://vimeo.com/338863157

JamesDiaz11 · Answer

I didn't read any of what you wrote, or look at your tables- I have (superfluous) Master's in Political Science, which equips me to answer political questions online (and little else).

We're a Republic- the founding fathers knew Democracy was unstable, and Madison pointed out (I believe in Federalist paper 10) such a system was only possible in a society of "virtuous men," which we hardly live in. Democracy simply doesn't work- it didn't work in the Athenian Ecclessia, it wouldn't work now. People are too stupid, too ruled by the emotions of the crowd to ever make a decision that would benefit the society long-term. We're a cross between a republic and a plutocratic, because frankly they're better than us- whether is be because they're smarter and made billions, or because they're great liars who have convinced us to give them power for an entire career.

Lliam · Answer

It was meant to be a constitutional republic with limited federal power. The sovereign states entered into a mutual defense and trade agreement. Unfortunately, the feds have pushed for more and more power.

Government agencies have gotten completely out of control. Some have become unelected governments that are no longer controlled by our elected representatives.

On top of that, our representatives represent the oligarchy, not the people. It has become totally corrupt.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

WTF?

We are a Democratic Republic. Your definition of Republic is wrong. A Republic is a state governed by "representatives". But they do not have to be elected. Most Republics are "Democratic" meaning that there are elections where representatives gain office by winning the majority of the vote.

But there are Republics that are not Democratic. There are Islamic Republics, Federal ones, all types of other nations who have reps who are appointed or gain office through other means.

monorprise · Answer

Technically its theses united States, plural as the Federal Constitution as specified in Article 7 of the same was authorized by the States in separate ratifying convention.

This took place between December 7 of 1787(Delaware) and June 21, 1788 (New Hampshire), with the remaining 41 states joining separately by convention or vote over the next 171 years.

Prior to said act each State had to be itself already republic with their own previously authorized by their people State Constitutions.

In those conventions they voted to create/join a Federal Constitutional Republic which consist of 50 State Republics.

MysticDevice · Answer

I always thought of it as a Republic due to an emphasis on "Rule of Law" over "Majority Rules"

There are elements of both present in the system so I think we were trying to take the best of both and try to make it work.

Overall I think our system is somewhat unique because its both applies a solid charter of laws and regulations while simultaniously allowing for levels of individual liberty not usually seen in other systems.

The result: and un-wieldy shit show that can barely function.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

I read both and i'm more into the republicans, not that the democrats are bad...

Also i usually support and admire the republicans because their thoughts and ideology are very similar to mine!

Saw none of the democrats who is really a conservative, they all supports same sex marriages, homosexuals, feminism and all of the are weak!

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

A democratic republic. It's why most of the first presidents were democratic republicans. Somewhere along the way the parties split but the system is whats held everything together. You vote for your representative and hope they'll actually represent you. True democracy doesn't work in mental institutions and basically, everyone would start trying to vote themselves rich or into power. The shit goes back all the way to Plato and Aristotle and their disagreement on the matter.

TallAnon · Answer

Not my subject at all, but.. How I understand it, America would be a republic without amandments, the fact that amendments are possible and have proven to be implementable makes it so the constitution isn't considered immutable, which would be a requirement for a republic.

humanearth · Answer

Its supposedly a Republic, but acts more like a dictatorship.

If we were truly free, why do we need to ask the government for permission, pay for licenses, and register everything.

Don't sound free to me

Avicenna · Answer

The US is a republic. Excellent question, by the way.

Miristheiss · Answer

It is a Republic. That is how the founders set it up. Branches and powers and what the government does verses the powers that were actually assigned at the beginning is a different matter. What it has mutated into over the last 240 years... I'm not sure.

goaded · Answer

A republic is a form of democracy. You can have non-republic democracies, like the UK, but you can't have a non-democratic republic. The whole point is that "supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives", which entails elections. Once you get rid of them, the country becomes a dictatorship. (I suppose it could also become a undemocratic monarchy, but that's unlikely to happen these days.)

Sandeeppingping · Answer

The United States of America is a constitutional federal republic, that's a fact not an opinion by the way

Kichbazp_ · Answer

@vivant The best Person to ask is him, Joe biden, I think its democracy, Do you think he used to look smart?

KostasKouvalis · Answer

If THOSE are the definitions, I really don't think it's either to be quite honest. But the founding fathers originally established it as a Republic, and Republican principles actually originated from the Lycians, not the Romans.

But certainly not every individual has a say in policy and the Constitution certainly isn't upheld everywhere, and neither are individual rights.

blondfrog · Answer

All I know is that our forefathers would be ashamed to see what America has turned into today. It seems the term freedom of speech doesn't exist anymore and its just two extreme sides arguing and fighting towards all micro issues. But then again you will never even come remotely close to a utopian society. So I guess its more about the folly of mankind.

Jay3344 · Answer

It’s a democratic republic. So it’s not a democracy but it has incredibly strong and well established democratic traditions. An example of this is the general election and the electoral college or the power of the legislature vs the power of the president.

Grond21 · Answer

We are designed as a Democratic Republic. And some of the descriptions of democracy in this are either unclear or truly belong in the Republic category

legalboxers · Answer

Autocratic - REPUBLIC. Those who believe lies about a rigged election - women nor having the right to certain medical procedures - bringing us back to Jim Crowe time because certain group of individuals believe the "election was stolen" and how "a black man was in a White House"..

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