Real democracy could actually be attained with the power of the internet and basic politics in education...
But you are right, in fact, no country in the world is governed by democracy, it's just a term they use to make us shut up and believe we are free.

Originally posted by betheflow
every single one of them kept repeating that the US is a Democracy (read pure democracy)

All that because you don't realize that they are talking about elected officials being democratically elected. Why would it "read pure democracy" when it is common knowledge that the citizens don't vote to pass laws, enact policy or anything of that nature?

So you just recently discovered that the US is not a Democracy? At least you are aware of it now.

This country was founded as a Republic.

Now, it's just a twisted mass of greedy politicians lobbied by SIGs.

Originally posted by theMediator
Real democracy could actually be attained with the power of the internet and basic politics in education...

I agree with you that there are no real representative democracies. Unfortunately I think that the view that a real democracy can be attained via the internet, education etc, is far too optimistic.

I think that the only way we'll ever attain a true democracy is when there can be no secrets. For that to happen no one would be able to lie successfully because everyone had FULL information. Unfortunately the only way we could attain that would be with a hive mind civilisation. I don't know about you guys but that's not something I would like to see.

Even if a hive humanity were desirable, the only way to get that state of affairs would be to first endure an era of totalitarian world government to enable implementation of the hive. We'd just have to keep our fingers crossed that power does NOT corrupt and that no small elite clique subverts the hive as it is rolled out.

In my opinion its not even a republic anymore. The US democratic process and taxation without representation began shortly after the only independent leader ever to make it to Washington. George Washington started the democratic US and the democratic or republic died with him. Its been ran by democrats and republicans every since. Now take you placebo and vote red or blue.

Oh and don't you dare vote for the other guy by voting independent.

Now we have two parties one that wants to rob from the rich and give to the poor and the other wants to feel yah up at the airport and get up close and personal with your business. Its obvious the deception has worked and is irreversible by the fact every dumb sob is gonna go vote for the lesser of two evils just like they do every time the vote. The majority of the forums here at ATS is a prime example of brainwashed morons arguing about their candidates.

If everyone voted for mickey mouse BO or MR would still get the election because its fixed that way.

We're a democracy in that we vote for our leaders and representatives democratically. That's what people are talking about when they refer to the United States as a democracy.

Few people refer to the nation as the 'republic' because we don't talk about the nation in that sense, we talk about our government and how the people govern it.

Originally posted by links234
We're a democracy in that we vote for our leaders and representatives democratically. That's what people are talking about when they refer to the United States as a democracy.

Few people refer to the nation as the 'republic' because we don't talk about the nation in that sense, we talk about our government and how the people govern it.

Few refer to the nation as a republic since, ever since they did away with that pesky "Pledge of Allegiance" thing, you know, that "to the republic for which it stands" part, most people don't KNOW that it's a republic, and specifically NOT a democracy. Since it's well known that democracy, i.e. mob rule, does not work.

Plus the constant media bombardment with the word "democracy" and NEVER the word "republic". Just by accident, of course. No way they are trying to jam the wrong idea into your heads.

Why do some Americans think that a Republic and a Democracy are things that are mutually exclusive?

A Republic is simply a form of Government without a hereditary Head of State. End of. There is no other meaning to the word.

A democracy is simply a form of Government where each citizen has an equal say in the creation of law, either directly or indirectly through elected representatives.

The two can and do exist side by side, just as you can have a Republic that is authoritarian, like Syria for example or you can have a democracy that isn't a Republic, like the UK.

As Slayer pointed out, you also have a Federal element to consider. Again, this isn't an exclusive term, as you could have a Federal republic that wasn't democratic, or a federal system which isn't a republic.

Originally posted by stumason
Why do some Americans think that a Republic and a Democracy are things that are mutually exclusive?

Because they do not understand what the terms mean. As you truthfully said, they are not mutually exclusive

I've always known that the U.S. is not a democracy.

The U.S. is a Republic

A little knowledge of 5th Grade U.S. History goes a looooong way

Originally posted by muse7
I've always known that the U.S. is not a democracy.

The U.S. is a Republic

See above...

Originally posted by muse7
A little knowledge of 5th Grade U.S. History goes a looooong way

Ironic... A little knowledge what the words meant would kill this annual argument on ATS. This is not the first thread on this topic and I doubt it will be the last...

Nope, not a democracy...thank goodness for that!

A Constitutional Republic.

Rule by a government whose powers are limited by law or a formal constitution, and chosen by a vote amongst at least some sections of the populace (Ancient Sparta was in its own terms a republic, though most inhabitants were disenfranchised. The United States is a federal republic). Republics that exclude sections of the populace from participation will typically claim to represent all citizens (by defining people without the vote as "non-citizens").

(Wiki definition)

What we really aspire to be...in a sense...is a Nomocracy...the absolute rule of law. Equally and fairly applied to everyone
Nomocracy

Rule by a government under the sovereignty of rational laws and civic right as opposed to one under theocratic systems of government. In a nomocracy, ultimate and final authority (sovereignty) exists in the law.

(Wiki definition)

I'm afraid most people would be extremely upset if they ever had to live in a "true" democracy. There would be no civil rights as those would have been out voted in the time. There would be no women's suffrage or equal rights as that would also have been over ruled by the "mob" of the time.

It must be a Constitutional Republic with Nomocracy as a backdrop or ideal.

Originally posted by links234
We're a democracy in that we vote for our leaders and representatives democratically. That's what people are talking about when they refer to the United States as a democracy.
.

HA you are given the illusion of democracy when it comes to voting

I dont find it surprising in the least that there are parallels between the US and Rome going on as we speak

Technically the USA is actually a representative democracy. America is having a federal election right now. It is a two party system where other parties find it difficult to get a voice or a vote.

Is it a flawed and corrupted political system? That is a matter of opinion and certainly it is far from perfect.
Democracy just means you vote.

Maybe it's a form of modern corporate representative democratic republic.

Regardless of how you want to label it there is no freedom in permitting a bunch of your neighbors getting together and deciding how you will live your life.

Democracy is mob rule. A Republic is just condensed mob rule.

Somebody is always deciding for you. There is no freedom in that.