Democracy is the best government that exists in 2011.
Over centuries, it has flourished in various forms.
But it is not perfect.
Can we do better?
Why stop here?
Why not search for an even better system,
maybe striving for "democracy" in its truest form,
for the people by the people?
Organizations such as the Better Government Association in the U.S.
strive for integrity, transparency, and accountability of government,
functioning in a much-needed watchdog role. Great.
But how about re-thinking the system itself,
to achieve these goals of honest, open government?
I find the term better government used in several archived U.S. and British writings
of the late 18th century into the first half of the 19th century.
Why did it desist in English usage?
Have American and British citizens become complacent, maybe?
strive for integrity, transparency, and accountability of government,
functioning in a much-needed watchdog role. Great.
But how about re-thinking the system itself,
to achieve these goals of honest, open government?
I find the term better government used in several archived U.S. and British writings
of the late 18th century into the first half of the 19th century.
Why did it desist in English usage?
Have American and British citizens become complacent, maybe?
43 comments:
"Democracy is the best goverment that exists." Honest politicians will make it better. Stefan H.
If it isn't broken, don't fix it. But why not better it? I completely agree with trying to find a better functioning system. It would only enhance the quality of how we live and how the government and its citizens coexist. -K.A.S
Have American and British citizens become complacent? I think so. We have become so comfortable with the workings of the government that no one gets involved anymore to help make changes. I think what we need to better the democratic government is for more people need to get involved. A government by the people for the people needs the people to contribute. Simple things American citizens take for granted such as voting can help make a better government.
Ma Mo
Unfortunately, democracy in the United Sates has become a bit of a farce. Take this political cartoon for example. Humorous as it may seem, it does strike a chord of truth that should frighten many Americans. As long as concepts like corporate personhood exist and big corporations are allowed to influence the political process as heavily as they do, America will be a shadow of its former democratic glory.
Dan M.
Unfortunately, democracy in the United Sates has become a bit of a farce. Take this political cartoon for example. Humorous as it may seem, it does strike a chord of truth that should frighten many Americans. As long as concepts like corporate personhood exist and big corporations are allowed to influence the political process as heavily as they do, America will be a shadow of its former democratic glory.
Dan M.
If Democracy is "for the people by the people", then why does the majority of the people not contribute? If the people do not help the government succeed in a positive way, the government will never better itself self. The people are a big factor in the government. J.P.
Democracy has been underestimated in my eyes. Growing up in a hispanic household who's votes were all for the republican party blurred my vision on the full potential a democracy can actually have. Although democracy claims that its people are "equal before the law", their are still varieties of democracy that will lack equal representation for the people because of indirect communication (big issue). So what do we really care for? Popular sovereignty or will we continue to be indecisive and play tug-of-war between the three major democracies....Consensus, Representative, Deliberative? We are still the change we need to see.
-GR
It is easy for individuals to want a better government. But many are unwilling to do their part in making a society work together as a whole. Pointing fingers and placing blame is usually directed outwardly. Many do not wish to face their own faults. When the drive to coexist in a more harmonious fashion outweighs the fondness for money and power, then a better government that benefits all will be within everyone’s grasp.
Sheeda M.
We all have the right to a better government, but really it’s the government who decides for us. We have little say in what can change.
-M.Quintanilla
Democracy is a beautiful idea, but to me that is all it has ever been. Simply voting for pre-selected candidates will not do it. These individual candidates have the power to implement their own independent rules/regulations after they have been elected. The power is in the people, but we are so divided as a culture. I vote for a moralistic democracy that digresses from the majority of everything I have witnessed in the mainstream political world.
~COL
Our government is more Republican than anything. The entire purpose of a republic form of government was to ensure the majority could not overrule the minority. There is no better system than what we have because everyone has a chance to be represented. The only way it can be improved is to ensure transparency.
-Alli Brecht
I wouldn't exactly say embellish it or make it better, but perhaps the better terminology would be to edify or with-drawl the truth within the system. I agree with the Democratic system, however I believe that the truth that is spoken in it should also be manifested through it.
F.H God Bless
The US government is a democracy but it's also a REPUBLIC. We've elected officials to represent us, the people, when it comes to making law so we, the people, wouldn’t have to do it for ourselves. So yes it’s a democracy because we voted for our representatives and senators, but it isn’t “by the people for the people” if you try to interpret it from the literal sense. That’s why it’s called a REPUBLIC.
Javier H.
Democratic governments do not work, especially in its true form, because people have not learned how to run a state or choose the appropriate leader. The majority of people do not have the sufficient knowledge on important subjects like economics, military strategy, foreign policies, or law and ethics. Most of the time people vote according to appearances and false promises that the candidates make, therefore not making the right choice.
LC
When put into practice, Democracy is purposeless, irrational, subject to public opinion and passing fashions, rambling, confused, underhanded, scheming, and in love with it's own purity.---Lauren Franco
I think that British and American citizens have become complacent with their governments. Ask a random person on the street who their mayor is, and there's a very good chance they don't know. I believe that people have a right to better government but also a responsibility to keep our government accountable by educating ourselves about policies, candidates, and bills.
-A.B.
I’m sure many people around the United States of America would love a better government. The problem is us, United States citizens, can’t do much to change the ways of our government. All we can do is hope what we vote for is chosen to be put in effect. C.M.A.
Democracy is a great way to run a country because then the majority of the countries people could be pleased. Also, citizens of the country are allowed a right to be heard and can make choices. But, even Hitler got into power through democracy so why not try to better it?
-Krystal Garcia.
The idea of having such a thing as a “perfect government” is Impossible. We can strive for having the Best possible (which we do) and of course small details to improve our Democracy. It has been proven since most of the countries today are Democratic. We are so used to just letting people take decisions for us, and not standing up for them. The press is an example, they manipulate there information and just tell you what “THEY” think the public should know.
Many people will say that the United States government isn't the best, but you will find that many of these people apparently don't care enough to vote or make their voice heard by the government. I say that the people should take advantage of our democracy and vote for what they want or believe is right. However, there may still be a better government system humans will discover in the future. Until then, let's work with what we have. SJB
It seems easy to dream about a better government than the one we currently have, but the truth is, that Democracy has been proven to be the most effective and functional government that has ever existed in the history of the world. Every time a new system is implemented we see how it ends up failing and leaving uncountable injustices behind. I believe that even trying to play and arrange new ways to modify Democracy, could be extremely dangerous if done by the wrong people. D.C.R.
Our government is more of a blessing at this time, and if it were to change to that of a third world country's government, all those individuals whom have thought bad of our current government would be yearning for our old government to take back its rightful place. Our current government is what distinguishes us from those country's where the normal over there is the insane over here. - J.J.V.
Ok when it comes to the government, i believe them all to be shady, greedy, untruthful politicians who only think about themselves and those in the higher class. Yes we are an "established" or at least trying to be an established democracy, but how are we capable of running a nation or government, when those who are behind the curtain are corrupt?
Alexis Herrero
The way we can have a better democracy is by not letting the government or others decide for us. We the people play an active part in the community. if we participate in the political process, democracy will be a better democracy. Citizens have many ways to contribute to the enhancement of this democracy and that is by voting, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, joining a civic group, joining a community group, giving an elected official our opinion on an issue, calling senators and representative, publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, running for office, and writing to a newspaper. We have to take advantage of our democracy to make it better. (LCL)
Goverments were built to have control over the population. Under whatever type of goverment society is being controled by rules and regulations and the rich and powerful have total immunity, that will never change. Everytime the people stop believing in the goverment, something drastic happens so that the polititians regain the trust of the community, wether it being good or bad.
Carlos G.
Everything can always be worked on, especially the government. Its never gonna be perfect, theres no such thing. G.A.
There is only one way to have a better government. We the people need to get our voices back and the government needs to have more fear of us.
Sarah M
I agree. Democracy is the best government form today but it can still make changes to keep up with the changes of our growing generation.
N.Av
I agree with the right to a better government. Every government has some corruption going on, and we cant do nothing about right now. Democracy is definitely the best option we have so far, comparing it with the government in some countries as Cuba or Venezuela. I agree with the right to keep improving the system and find a better one.
H.D.A
I do agree with the statement, "Democracy is the best government that exists in 2011". But first off we can always make things better. Second, there have been so many mistakes made by our politicians that it seems like we have done more harm than good, but compared to other governmental around the world we are the safest and most reasonable. So yes I do agree with the right the better government, but it can only change if the people want it to. So we have the power to elect whom we choose ,but when you do really process it and hopefully it is for the better. Robert S.
People have become complacent with the government. It is difficult to continue to put effort towards anything that you really don’t have any say in. As long as politicians pursue their own self-interests we will never have an honest government. Money and power are to influential of a combination for honesty to overcome. While I do believe in always striving for improvement I don’t see how it can be done with greed standing in the way.
We need a better government. One that won't lie to us and one that truly believes in "for the people, by the people." We need to achieve this greater government so we can live in a better, more honest society. Etel
The word democracy derives from the Greek word "demos," or "people". Democracy is government system in which the supreme power is vested in the people. President Abraham Lincoln said, “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people." I have to agree with L.C.; How can we trust a democratic government system and leave it to the ‘people” when we the people are not capable of voting for the right president nor do we get involved to attempt to make changes in our current system. The “perfect government” would not be a through democracy; instead our current system should be supported and we should make an attempt to get more involved in order to make changes and improvements.
The Right to better government is a right that people who has live under a democratic government their whole life sees under a differently than people who has experienced other kinds of government such as communism or dictatorial regimes. By saying this I’m also agreeing with the idea of implementing the right to better government. Democracy allows citizens in to participate in free voting elections which lead to many opportunities of better their next government. We all citizens of the world should have the right to experience a better government. A.L.
The right to better government was the main reason why the colonists (early settlers -pilgrims) came to America to have the right to form a better government for the people and by the people. The USA Constitution was inspired on those principals. The government should be established to serve the people who they govern and tend to their needs. See: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Colonists By: L.J.B.R.
Democracy is for the People. The People are the ones with the real power. To improve the government, we should encourage the People to get involve. Every vote counts. Also, the government should be honest to its People.
Angel M
Government can be better of course it will not be perfect but it can improve in a way that it will benefit the people, because at the end we are the ones who decide who is going to be our leader in government. We need politics to be really honest and straightforward with the citizens who put them in their position; it is simply an ethic thing to do. They owe it to the nation.
Anonymous said...
Government can be better of course it will not be perfect but it can improve in a way that it will benefit the people, because at the end we are the ones who decide who is going to be our leader in government. We need politics to be really honest and straightforward with the citizens who put them in their position; it is simply an ethic thing to do. They owe it to the nation. O.V.
Having lived and experienced first-hand a communist government in Cuba, I believe Democracy to be the best form of government in existence. Yes, there is always room for improvement and no the American people do not need to learn how to choose the appropriate leader as stated above. Man is not a perfect being and therefore governments will continue to have flaws and weaknesses of some shape or form. What a man in power should do, is take ownership of their role or responsibility by being accountable, transparent and integral for the people that voted them in.
God bless this great country and all the leaders subjected to it.
-Ana DM
My thoughts on this Right may have me labeled as complacent, but they're genuine and honest. I feel that although Democracy is the better government there is in today's society, there is a reason why it's not perfect. The people who run Democracy are not always looking for the better government or even for the greater good of a nation. They look out for themselves, for personal gain. I feel that only a handful of politicians have truly cared for the greater good, and even with them, a personal agenda (logically) existed. Democracy isn't the best government, but it's almost perfect, so better that than tyranny or dictatorship.MCL
Everyone should have a government that keeps us in order but also allows us our freedom to do what we please in a way that will not harm others. Both the republicans and the democrats are good in some sense. To have a better government takes a lot of research, time and energy. If someone says something about the republicans or about the democrats that someone better have their research correct on what they say about the other person or what they do, I think that is why our government is corrupted because people lie and become greedy and self obsessed on getting what they want.
Chelsea M.
Democracy is an amazing government if we followed by its guidelines. This government tweaks democracy with lies they provide us everyday and lead us to believe that the government is “for the people, by the people,” when in fact its controlled by the whole government. - ABL
A successful democratic government is always changinging. It needs to do this because times change and the priorites today are different than they were over 200 years ago. The culture in this country is also different. But this is a good thing because this is the only way for it to get better. A democratic government would fail if it did not change as the times and culture changed. It is the only way for it to become a better government. LV
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