What is a properly functioning democracy?

Not really comparable in this case. The political system of Weimar Germany isn't anything like what we are talking about

Is it though?

 

Well, that's a huge question, but it makes me remember these flyers the League of Women Voters would send out before each election. I don't know if they still do that. But anyway, they always did a great job just laying out the facts about the election in a non-partisan way, listing the candidates and the issues with pros and cons.

So, I guess my idea of an educated electorate is one that has at least a passing familiarity with the issues and knows the pros and cons, with all the false bullshit filtered out.

 

Such methods are always, and I mean always, open to bias. Even when the League of Women Voters did it. Who has control over "educating" the electorate? What if the electorate simply doesn't care?

 

Any system can (and most likely will) be abused. There is no perfect kind of democracy. I just mean if we would have democracy in it most literal form it would only keep the majority happy. Since people are in most cases not uniform on all opinions they would often get screwed because they are not always part of the majority and the majority always gets its way. Hence why it is better to have a system which tries to give and take, and keeps working on consideration and rights for everyone. This means lots of talking...

 

Depends. What would need to change is the way of "advertising" or campaigning. In most of the democracies we have now politicians will say almost anything to get a vote.

This is what needs to change. If you want to get in the game you make a program, you stick with it, then the people vote.

It's know it's oversimplified but in essence this is it.

 

I am inclined to agree. As long as politicians are massively funded by the private sector and that way can get attention anywhere and say anything and not be hold accountable when they trick the less smart citizen in voting for them without doing what he said we will never see an optimal working form of democracy. Well it depends who you ask of course, it couldn't work better for some people

 

(in reply to TheGhost): No, I disagree. You can't make politicians tell the truth during an election. The fix in a properly functioning democracy is to vote them out of office the next time around. But this isn't happening now. A huge problem in American now is what they call gerrymandering, where voting districts are set by the party in control in such a way as to almost eliminate the possibility of an incumbent being voted out.

Public approval of Congress now is about 8%. In a functioning democracy that would mean that most incumbents would lose their jobs. But just the opposite is happening.

Addendum to my list of attributes: no gerrymandering allowed.

 

That won't fix what you're bitching about....

 

It doesn't hurt though. I always had my doubts how american votes are counted.

 

It always hurts one side. Gerrymandering is only a bad thing if your side isn't the one doing it.

 

I try not to take any sides. A good system gives and takes (this includes me if I'm 'subject' of that system)

 

That is a noble, but naive, sentiment I think. There are sides in everything (often more than two) and we take them whether we want to acknowledge them or not.

 

Too many people have fought & died to achieve Democracy & to defend it for me to not support it. I also believe its better than the alternatives. Given that theres a level playing field,everyone gets a fair shout.

Problem is that Democracy relies on participation by us all, with all our views,to be healthy & to serve us well. I fear that,increasingly,we are losing our ownership of our Democracy.

There are many causes; the rise of PR & 'Spin',biased Media,Monied Interests,the Professional Polititian,decreases in transparency & accountability and the rise in cynisism among us all. We are disempowered,both we & 'they' know it,it suits them fine.

In Britain we've Two & half political parties that bicker constantly over the center ground. Theres very little to choose between them. Theres a couple of special interest parties,no more than a minor annoyance for the main contenders. Its all very cosy & unhealthy & their jobs are secure!

If we continue to let them have this game of charades,we don't participate,join the debates,demonstrate & take back what is ours too , then what does that make us?

Ive been an activist. Ive had some great times,made a lot of friends , even among some whom I disagreed with. It can also be hard work & boring at times too but no more so than being stuck in front of a TV being fed shit! Its worth the effort because it lets the suits know that they ain't got it ALL their way.

 

Democracy might work a lot better if elected representitives got paid the average pay of the middle class. (what's left of it) Same health insurance as the rest of us also. The present big-time gravy train they're on is corrupting and is inductive of not giving a shit about anything but staying in office.

 

Even if they got paid three times the median wage (currently $27,000), it would still be a good idea. Their pay would be indexed to the results they produce. The trouble is they only care about the welfare of rich people.

 

I agree on the latter point. On the former, it actually might make politicians more susceptible to bribes if they're salaries are reduced.

Campaign finance reform, would be a bigger equalizer to prevent super pacs influencing the campaign season.

 

Apart from the ones who run every presidential term?

 

Not basically or possibly, but a definite yes.

 

The nature of the profession attracts douchbag personalities, because of the power draw of that profession.

The individuals who are politicians who want to get things done, can't stand the gridlock and end up leaving, vacating a seat, and in steps another personality type that goes in for the prestige and wealth (bribes) rather than for the public good. It also doesn't help that in order to run a campaign almost mandates the candidate be personally wealthy.

 

I agree that that is a problem indeed, though not for the same reasons you do. As I grow and learn more, I am not sure universal suffrage is necessarily a good thing.