Is Democracy, Hypocrisy?
Democracy, Socialism or Dictator?
Democracy is supposed to be, what the majority want, however is this really the case.
This is not aimed at any one particular country, as we find similar statistics around the world. In the United States, over the last 60 years, in the Presidential elections, we see that on average there used to be a 60% turnout. More recently, it has become a 50% turnout. With these turnouts, the President is lucky to get 50% of the votes cast. This means that any President is elected by only 25% of the eligible voters. Some dictators have this much support.
What else is there? Well, there is socialism. Although this is good in theory, as so far as a country is supposed to work together for the benefit of all, it does not seem to work in practice. There is also dictatorship, or a Monarchy system. This can work, depending on the leadership. However, when a bad leader comes into power, it proves hard to change.
So, over all, democracy seems the best option but we should not leave it there. We could change the democratic process. It would take a smarter person than me to come up with a better system. However, there are a couple of points that I feel should be included in any change.
First, there should be a vote, to see if the people want a change in leader. If 50%, or more, do not want a change, then leave things as they are for another couple of years. If 50% or more want a change, then have an election but the current leader cannot run.
Secondly, to ensure more people vote, I would suggest this: On a tax return you should have to state your preference for party, president or whatever. The same should apply before a welfare check could be issued. Students, over the voting age, should have to put it on their college entrance forms.
Thirdly, on voting day, people only have to go to the poles, if they wish to change their vote submitted on one of the above or if they have not filled in one of the above.
This should ensure that a higher percentage get a vote. A high percentage of those that currently vote are strong followers of one party or another. Most of the people that do not vote are either confused by all the expensive campaigning or feel that it will make no difference to them whichever way the vote goes. The latter part may be true but they should at least vote one way or the other, if only in respect for the people who may have died to ensure they had a vote. If they do get confused with the campaigning, it is probably just as well that they go with their long term thoughts.
I am all for democracy but lets try and make it more democratic.
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Comments
People go to polls to cast a vote, while flags can be flown from poles.
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Al Blondin. I may be wrong but I think that even given some of the remote places that exist in your country, you still get better turnouts. Thanks for your thoughts.
England and Australia! Geez, you guys go far to find an example of the English Parliament system when a couple of hundred miles away you have us, your good buddies north of the border, Canadians who have essentially the same political system under the same Queen.
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gposchman. Pretty close.
Was I fairly accurate about my description? I actually got it third hand from a man from Australia, who was trying to explain the difference between England and Australia. We were traveling by train between San Francisco and Chicago at the time.
Gene
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gposchman Thanks and by the way, I am English. Our turnout figures are also low.
I hate to get technical, (probably a lie) but we do not live in a true democracy, we live in a republic. What that means is that we elect people to run things for us. The day to day decisions in government are handled by elected officials who represent us on several levels, city or community, state and federal.
That aside there are probably a number of different ways to handle elections. We could follow England's model, where the prime Minister is elected by the ruling party, or by a coalition of parties who have joined together to elect a prime Minister. Only when there is a vote of no confidence would there be a change in leadership, or if the Queen decides that the leadership has gone astray and she declares a general election which effects the leadership because of new players in government.
Ironically Thomas Jefferson thought the government should be disbanded at regular intervals, he just couldn't think of a smooth transition process to accomplish this.
I am not too concerned that not everyone votes, I would prefer that those who do vote are actually versed on what they are voting for, which is sadly not the case in a lot of instances. The system is imperfect, but for now I'll take it until there really is a better one.
I forgot who said it, Democracy is a terrible political system, except for all the others, which are worse.
Nice Hub
Gene
- Author
medor You may be right, so shouldn't education be a high priority. Not neccessarily top education but to ensure ALL get a reasonable education.
Although this is not a perfect system, it certainly beats what's out there now. Democracy is the answer, but it isn't easy. And it does require participation, which makes it a priority in our lives. I have lived in several countries and have not seen what we have here. Education is a key to giving us the tools to have Democracy, but does not ensure it.
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Tony DeLorger I'll take a look at the Swedish system, maybe i'll get some more ideas. Thanks.
dahoglund Thanks for commenting, don't worry, just remember they are only OUR views and we are all entitled to our own. It is our ability to have them, that makes us human.
I don't think I want my political view on all these records.
Good Hub Rafken. Indeed it is time to question all the political systems as none of them have really worked. Corruption has always been a problem. Check out the political system in Sweden. They pay high tax but have virtually free education, healthcare and pensions. Its a very progressive and cleverly run democracy.
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