General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSen. Mike Lee's tweets against "democracy," explained. VOX
snip
On the American right, there is a long tradition of arguing that the United States is a republic, not a democracy, a distinction its proponents trace back to the founders. It centers not on whether a nation holds competitive elections but the extent to which it puts constraints on majorities from restricting the rights of minorities. Democracies, on this definition, allow for untrammeled majority rule; republics put in place rules that prevent legislators from using their power in tyrannical ways (think the Bill of Rights).
snip
The spin offered by Lee and others on the right, historically speaking, originated as arguments for curbing democracy in the ordinary sense of the word the ability of majorities to enact popular policies (that conservatives disapproved of). Warning against the tyranny of the majority serves as a justification for minority rule.
Quite a lot more in the article.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/21507713/mike-lee-democracy-republic-trump-2020
A long article but the upshot is that Republicans want to change our democratic republic into an authoritarian republic.
regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)Mike Lee is a f*cking fascist wannabe, just like the rest of his wretched party.
safeinOhio
(32,674 posts)1. Democratic Republics
2. Banana Republics.
Crunchy Frog
(26,579 posts)"We're a republic not a democracy". About its history and about what the word "democracy" meant to the founders of this country, and what system they intended for this country.
It's about unpacking and examining a claim that the Rs are trying to use to establish permanent minority rule in this country.
It's good info to have, in the current political environment, as even many liberals don't get it.
I once had to explain the distinction to my own mother, who is a lifelong liberal Democrat.
I don't like to underestimate the way RWers can manipulate language to confuse the American public, even the ones who are on our side.
TheRealNorth
(9,478 posts)So, I don't know how Republicans think that is a good thing.
Midnight Writer
(21,745 posts)The Magistrate
(95,244 posts)"When conservatives find their views cannot prevail at the polls, they will not alter their views. They will reject Democracy."