Does the diversity which comes easier to large countries hinder democracy? In that they will never be able to cater to all the major ideologies and philosophies within large countries. I've been pondering the topic for a while now, Anyways, what are your thoughts on the subject?
Politics - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Well, the USA is actually a republic, not a democracy. In our republic, the needs of the minority are carefully protected and by extension, the ideologies and philosophies of minorities are guaranteed. It's not perfect, but it works very well. I'm not sure China qualifies since their government rules with an iron fist and takes what it wants by gunpoint - Tibet. Eugene: How do the needs of the minority get protected in a straight democracy? The best definition of democracy I've heard goes like this: Democracy is two wolves and a sheep trying to decide what to have for dinner. James Madison put it this way: "Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death."
2 :
It works pretty well in the US where we have a Republic style of democracy. Direct democracy is better though because we count everyone's vote anyway.
3 :
When has democracy worked in the Middle East or the states of Africa or South America?
4 :
Democracy works well in the USA. I'm sure it would work in Russia and China if the had a democracy. Russia was sort of democratic, but has been moving away from that. China has never been a democracy.
5 :
A pure democracy would fail miserably in countries as large and as diverse as the US. While it makes us culturally well-rounded, when things hit the fan, xenophobia becomes rampant, and the mob would quickly squash the minority out of existence. For example, if we had a pure democracy right after 9/11, we would probably see a Kristallnacht of the Muslim community. Also, it is very hard and tedious for everyone all over the country to come to DC whenever we need a vote just so they can voice their opinion. Our system isn't perfect, but it's principles are the best anyone has.
6 :
Pro Con's quote about wolves & sheep is a good point. I would answer it by saying that for a large nation with many various regions, at least there will be some sheep present in the legislature of a democracy. Tibet could elect its representatives to parliament, but what are the odds today of a Tibetan becoming General Secretary?
7 :
1900's through the 1950's, beginning of the 60's, we were a country of immigrants and their 1st generation offspring. Italians and Jews. Polish , Irish, Germans. We were unique in our customs, alive with our ethnicity, in our homes, with each other. Outside, in the streets, schools and stores we blended as one, one language , one dress, styles, music, love and loyalty to ONE country always, always America. You could not tell who was a Jew from who was a Pole, all excepting the slight color difference,were the same, learned at the same schools. Only at worship , did they separate. That was once a week, private, family. I quess what I am trying to say is , being a large diverse country is not a problem, if everyone is connected by one main belief. I believe we worked so well as a country, worked played, fought, endured hardships and won because we all were one type of person, one thing ran common among us no matter where our parents were from, we ALL put country first, and honored HER CUSTOMS, HER LANGUAGE, FIRST, always , in this we were one. When the great wars came everyone fought, EVERYONE. My mother tells me that their were no young men, on the streets or anywhere , unless of course they were disabled. They all volunteered. It can work, but only with that type of unity. With PC , and the need to separate and 'spoon feed' our current immigrants and even their natural born children , we are losing our identity and weakening our nation. Division weakens. Instead of all fighting for a common good, we fight each other for the right to remain separate, for our own selfish needs. Bad politicians feed off this division, and further destroy our identity. That is why so many young people are seeking out other types of government, this is a tragedy. This does not need to be. The change starts with us, not government.
