What's the difference between a country being a democracy and not?

[Anonymous]

(This question is anonymous so that the legions who have blocked me can see.) I posted this Take:

https://www.girlsaskguys.com/social-relationships/a71702-the-united-states-is-too-a-democracy

Some people are insisting that the US, a "constitutional federal republic" (true), is not a democracy.

A helpful opinion owner pointed out (with links, respect!) that "The United Kingdom, is a constitutional monarchy... France is a democratic semi-presidential republic... Germany is a federal parliamentary republic... Italy has a Parliamentary Republic type of government... Spain is a parliamentary monarchy."

Every one of those countries, and more, would insist that they are democracies. Their people vote in free and fair elections for people to represent them in government. Opposition leaders are not imprisoned without due process of law. Politicians, journalists, and other dissidents do not fall out of windows any more than the average person.

These, I think, are the defining attributes of a democratic government, not any millennia old definition.

Updates

+1 y

Bonus points for anyone who can explain how none of the meanings of the word "democracy" apply to the United States of America.

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democracy
www.collinsdictionary.com/.../democracy
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/democracy
dictionary.cambridge.org/.../democracy

Because that's what you'd have to do to "prove" the US is not one.

Updates

+1 y

Thanks to the admins who restored the question after it was reported for supposedly "spamming or trolling".

[OddBeMe]

Democracy is more a type or species of government. Then there’s different ways a bureaucracy can be “democratic”. there's not too much difference between UK’s parliament and our bicameral congress.

The democracy part is politicians being elected by regions of the country to represent them federally.

Bit different with a president vs PM, but again not too much. I can appreciate the crown leaving government to do its thing. Though there’s been plenty of talk about discontinuing the Monarchy. So it was in the Queens best interest to comply.

[Asker]

Guess what a republic is, according to the CIA: "Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. "

Ironically, it doesn't say anything like "in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. ", like it does about socialism. I wonder why.

[NamerOfStars]

People say the US (and other similar countries) aren't democracies mostly because they're not direct democracies. This IS, in fact, as stupid as it sounds, but they never listen.

[DrPepper12]

Full, free and fair elections. Objective accessable courts. Civilian control of military. Civil service exams for govt jobs.

[Juxtapose]

You're idealizing your personal definition of what a democracy means.

[Asker]

Really? Even when each of those countries would describe themselves as democracies, as have many US presidents? It's just my personal opinion?

[Juxtapose]

Yes, it absolutely is. The USA is absolutely not a democracy.

[Asker]

And yet decades of presidents have said that it is. Of course you and your friends know better.

[Juxtapose]

Presidents say there is a god too. It doesn't make them right.

[Juxtapose]

I absolutely do know better. America is NOT a democracy.

[Asker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B2VAvIsSA4

[Juxtapose]

A democracy isn't just: "you elect some dudes to represent you", it encompasses much more influence from the voters and their representatives.

The USA doesn't give voters a lot of influence.

[Juxtapose]

A lot of people we DON'T elect are in charge.

[Asker]

You should listen to what Reagan said. Perhaps your parents haven't been teaching what it means to be an American.

[Juxtapose]

Ronald Reagan called black people monkeys LOL he's a moron.

[Juxtapose]

I know better than a German.

[Juxtapose]

You don't even understand freedom of speech.

[Juxtapose]

Okay, to have "we the people" be in charge, the USA would need a revolution.

[Asker]

Let me just put your numerous moronic statements in one place:

" A democracy isn't just: "you elect some dudes to represent you", it encompasses much more influence from the voters and their representatives.

The USA doesn't give voters a lot of influence.

A lot of people we DON'T elect are in charge.

You should listen to what Reagan said. Perhaps your parents haven't been teaching what it means to be an American.

Ronald Reagan called black people monkeys LOL he's a moron.

I know better than a German.

You don't even understand freedom of speech.

Okay, to have "we the people" be in charge, the USA would need a revolution."

[Juxtapose]

Hahaha you're so salty 🤣

[Asker]

Maybe you should try electing representatives that do what most people want done.

[Asker]

It's come to my attention even the CIA says that republics are democracies: www.cia.gov/.../government-type "Republic - a representative democracy..."

[Juxtapose]

"Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives."

"Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government."

Like I said, If you take democracy in the loosest way then yeah, it's a democracy.

[Asker]

Ah, suddenly you don't like the CIA definition, "Republic - a representative democracy...".

That's all republics (at least the ones not run by dictators, like the DDR or DRNK).

Did you even read: "ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives."?

Voters can change the constitution.

Nah, you've always claimed that the US is in no way a democracy. You don't get to just change your mind without admitting you were wrong.

[Juxtapose]

I can do whatever the fuck I want and I already messaged you in another thread about this using dictionary definitions. Go check that one out I am sick of jumping from thread to thread on the same damn issue.

[Asker]

Of course you can lie and disseminate and misinform, that's your right. I get to point it out, though.

CIA definition, "Republic - a representative democracy...".

[Juxtapose]

Just because you lie doesn't mean I do 🤷

[Asker]

Didn't you fail to quote the CIA definition of a republic because it said "Republic - a representative democracy..."? While quoting other definitions (which still didn't proce the US is not a democracy)?

[Juxtapose]

In those loose terms it is a democracy. A republic is a democracy turned into something else. Or you can just have the two words mean the same thing and essentially be redundant.

[Juxtapose]

But like I said, America is not a democracy. It is a constitutional federal republic. Republic has its own meaning, it is not the same as calling a government a democracy which would mean it is rule by majority.

[Asker]

They're not "loose terms", they're very specific. The US is a democracy. Just have the internal fortitude to admit the fact!

[Juxtapose]

No it's not and you can shove your sanctimonious attitude up your ass.

[BarryLiverstone]

Umm m

[Asker]

Take your time.