Is America a Democracy?
Posted June 14th, 2010 by gestroud • 4 views • Print • Email
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Loading ...by Larry Pruett
At first glance, the answer seems simple. Most people would say “yes.” And why not? Our politicians are constantly talking about our democracy, the Media shows us “Democracy in Action”, and we always hear about “spreading Democracy” around the globe.
However, we are NOT a Democracy.
We are a Representative Republic.
Most people today do not understand the difference, but it is crucial. In a pure Democracy, the majority decides things. Each issue would be voted on by the masses, and the majority would win. So, should we have a new tax on the “rich?” Everyone cast your vote. Since the majority of people do not fall in the “rich” category, the vote would probably pass and our economy would be damaged.
I explain this to my kids like this. There are seven people in our family. That means that if we were a Democracy, four of us could agree on something and the rest of the family would have to go along. So, if my 2-year old and 4-year old (who’s votes can easily be bought with marshmallows) go along with two older kids, they could outvote my wife and I every time. This would mean sugar for breakfast, lunch and supper, no chores, no school, and a day filled with video games and movies. There is no extra weight given for position, age, experience, wisdom, or even Biblical authority — everyone has an equal vote in a Democracy. Of course, we do not exercise democracy in our home, but my kids can keep dreaming about it.
In a republic, the people elect representatives to make laws, supposedly for the best of the people. If the people don’t like the way the representative handles himself, they have the right and duty to simply vote him out during the next election cycle.
But here is the biggest difference about these two forms of government. In a Democracy, the government is run on the feelings of the majority at that time. In a republic the government is based upon the rule of law.
Noah Webster, in his History of the United States, said that “the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible.” This means that in a Republic, the rule of law will always prevail. Murder will always be against the law because the Bible has already established it as against God’s law. In a Democracy, however, there is always a chance that the majority’s feelings may be swayed to change so that murder could become legal.
America has gradually declined toward democratic principles in the last century. What would the founders think of this? I’ll have to answer that next time. Look for my next article entitled, ‘What Did the Founders Think About Democracy’!
About the author: Larry Pruett is the owner of Stepping Stones Company, a Christian organization dedicated to the preservation of our national heritage. His website is www.1776web.com, where you can find much more information on the founding of the United States of America. He also owns an online bookstore, Ancient Paths Christian Bookstore. You could see his store at: www.ancientpathsweb.com or www.stores.ebay.com/ancientpathschristianbookstore.
Source: www.goarticles.com
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