General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan we have a text book discussion on the meaning of democracy
It does not mean 'peaceful transition of power'. That is merely one of several (close to ten) criteria that are required for a political system to be called a 'liberal democracy'.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,719 posts)For instance gay folk can marry but they can't use the power of the government to force the neighborhood priest to preside over the ceremony.
malaise
(269,498 posts)yes
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,719 posts)America is an idea... It's just not a big piece of real estate.
malaise
(269,498 posts)the right to vote, equality before the law, a feww and fair press (not the corporate media), the right to protest and others. There has never been pluralism - the ruling class run the show
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,719 posts)It's the golden rule, those with the gold rule. We do/did have a degree of have political pluralism. We had freedom of movement, of belief, and of association.
I am afraid Trump wants to end that.
malaise
(269,498 posts)and minority numbers, you cannot call that pluralism. The white male is still dominant.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,719 posts)Trump wants to put an end to that. That is why the Deplorables adore him.
malaise
(269,498 posts)Let's look at the state of democracy in America
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,719 posts)It is the worst of all systems but better than all the rest.
Paradoxically democracy requires a great degree of consensus. If everybody had their own firmly held beliefs or roughly equal sized groups held beliefs on key issues and refused to compromise democracy would break down.
We did a pretty good job of papering over our differences. The average American isn't as ideological as we are or as ideological as the Deplorables. I am trying to think of an analogy. There is a scab on our differences. The Deplorables and Trump have let us know they intend to pull it off.
Nothing good will come out of this, nothing...
malaise
(269,498 posts)He did not believe in democracy overseas. Churchill was also a racist
CK_John
(10,005 posts)malaise
(269,498 posts)I want all the characteristics that make a liberal democracy a liberal democracy.
Happy New Year
eniwetok
(1,629 posts)You probably already know this but Thom Hartmann read from one of your DU posts on his radio show.
malaise
(269,498 posts)which one?
eniwetok
(1,629 posts)Last week someone was filling in for Thom for a few days then there was a rebroadcast of an earlier show... perhaps last Wed or Thurs aired perhaps two weeks before. The post was something about a family get together. I was pretty sure it was your user name... unless someone else has something similar.
malaise
(269,498 posts)eniwetok
(1,629 posts)Thom often refers to posts here at DU... and never really mentioned posts at his own forum. It was a source of contention for his forum's regulars. Not that it matters. He shut down his forum last July. I miss all my right wing foes.
hehehehehe - I know what you mean
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.