True Or False

Demoracy only promises equality of oppertunity not conditions.


your thoughts

True, yo! Socialism and communism promise equality of conditions.

Democracy does not promise equality of opportunity or equality of condiitons. It promises that all citizens will have an equal say in the government - the key word being "citizens" since not all people who live in a given democracy can be called that. See Ancient Greece, pre-Emancipation and pre-Sufferage America.

Originally posted by sharky
Democracy does not promise equality of opportunity or equality of condiitons. It promises that all citizens will have an equal say in the government - the key word being "citizens" since not all people who live in a given democracy can be called that. See Ancient Greece, pre-Emancipation and pre-Sufferage America.

That's my answer......

ooo...uh...can I change my answer to yours sharky, and then yell at you for pladurizing me?

Yep, I agree with that...

Originally posted by sharky
Democracy does not promise equality of opportunity or equality of condiitons. It promises that all citizens will have an equal say in the government - the key word being "citizens" since not all people who live in a given democracy can be called that. See Ancient Greece, pre-Emancipation and pre-Sufferage America.

i agree with you...

so deos colonel...

Originally posted by sharky
Democracy does not promise equality of opportunity or equality of condiitons. It promises that all citizens will have an equal say in the government - the key word being "citizens" since not all people who live in a given democracy can be called that. See Ancient Greece, pre-Emancipation and pre-Sufferage America.

yet people will not take part in their equal say in government, do nothing, then bitch about how it isnt right. if you want a candidate in office or a matter brought to the attention of alot of people, get off your asses and do something about it.

Originally posted by KrazyIvan

yet people will not take part in their equal say in government, do nothing, then bitch about how it isnt right. if you want a candidate in office or a matter brought to the attention of alot of people, get off your asses and do something about it.

Good point. Out of curiosity, what's your opinion regarding your question? Do you think Democracy (or any Democracy-based system) should promote conditions of equality?

having equal conditions for all is communism. i believe the statement in the beginning in thread is true

[Edited on 12-12-2003 by KrazyIvan]

There is no clear cut black and white answer to this question to try and sum our system up in a single sentence is to ignore the realities on the ground. Everything within our system creates balance. Sadly, there will never be equality of conditions because our system was built that way. So, in a way your comment is right. Still, in more ways its wrong because of what it suggest. It seems you believe social spending is not required in a democracy. How do you get equal opportunity without it?

The big picture. Opportunity has to be created. So if you say there is equal opportunity, but the poor are excluded then how is it equal? You spoke of the GI bill in another thread. This is social spending that creates opportunity that most would not have if not for american tax dollars funding education. Pell grants and fed loan guarantees are also ways that no one is excluded from the opportunity to excel. Just giving you examples of how social spending opens up opportunity to those that would be locked out without it.

Those that speak like you tend to want to get rid of the social programs that create the opportunity--which would be a mistake and disrupt the delicate balance within our system. The idea that any social spending is socialism or communism is absurd. But, we aren't in danger of having a president crazy enough to end it. Not yet, anyway.

Originally posted by Saphronia
The idea that any social spending is socialism or communism is absurd. But, we aren't in danger of having a president crazy enough to end it. Not yet, anyway.

I wouldn't be so sure of that with the president we have now.

I agree with that of democracy as a whole, but in America (what was intended at least) was to provide equal opportunity.

As it should be. These programs of taking from those who had their shyte together and giving to the poor is bogus.

What ever happened to the great work programs of the depression era?

Better to spend the money getting something than handing it out.

Originally posted by Colonel

Originally posted by sharky
Democracy does not promise equality of opportunity or equality of condiitons. It promises that all citizens will have an equal say in the government - the key word being "citizens" since not all people who live in a given democracy can be called that. See Ancient Greece, pre-Emancipation and pre-Sufferage America.

That's my answer......

I concur, Elitism will always take place...no matter how much communism you apply, as long as you're dealing with humans, you will have elitism.
democracy..need i quote what churchill once said to all our politically avid posters to this thread?
Cyrus

Demoracy only promises equality of oppertunity not conditions.

That depends, capatalist democracy that we seem to have now obviously doesnt promise equal oppotunity but others forms might, no?

All though I agree the closer you get to equal oppurunities in society is closer to communism!

Originally posted by Cyrus
..need i quote what churchill once said to all our politically avid posters to this thread?

Cyrus

Yes, please. Apparenlty I'm not elite enough to get the reference!