Democracy isn't a form of government

'Democracy' is a means of electing the people who compose a government, and in some cases, whether particular laws should be passed; but it is not a form of government. A government's form is dictated by its constitution, its common law tradition, or by its supreme ruler, none of which are ever composed 'Democratically'. Even in the case of governments giving their citizens the opportunity to vote on a Constitution (a la the EU), if they don't like the referendum returned by the people, they'll just ask them the question till they give the 'right' answer. Democracy is a vacuous term, and certainly not an object of political value in its own right.

Why did I post this? Mostly to do with the two threads comparing democracy and monarchy. While Monarchy is a form of government, democracy can still exist underneath that though. (Proof of that is the much-esteemed British Parliament.)

We all know masturbatory political discourse is the most entertaining thing about this website, right?

You're not a form of government.

lol wut

Wow did this thread devolve fast...LOL!

I feel the need to respond to natetodamax's important input:

Your face's mom's preferred form of government isn't a form of government.


Honestly, I wouldn't mind at all if this thread devolved into into a string of 'your _______' quips, so let's do it!

That's why we won't tell him.

GOD!

No, not you the one with the beard and six fingers.

Your mom isn't a form of Government. LOL, MOM JOKES!

Giant Bomb, your one stop source for intelligent discussion. ;D

In Soviet Russia, government is yo'.

the dictionary disagrees with you:

Democracy is joke. Just look at how Darth Sidous does it in the star wars movies/novels/comics or how Dart Caedus does it in the legacy novels. Minus the force trickery all democracy will be converted to a communist type reigm. Sadly any form of leadership is easily manipulated by the greedy or power hungry. If enough effort and education is used.

And yes i did just use star wars to define world politics. Star Wars is a way of life bitches ^_^ b

What the hell is going on here?!

Suicrat isn't the form of a name, but you don't see us calling it out!

So what would the goverment form of Canada would be if not democratic?

Yeah democracy' s shit, but at least we get to see Gordon Brown shaking in fear:

mmmmm boobs

FORM OF- a GOVERNMENT!

now you may lock it

democracy (Greek, rule by the people)
In Greek thought, rule by the citizens in general (nevertheless excluding women and of course slaves) in contrast to government by the rich and aristocratic. In modern society sovereignty of the people in general, expressed not directly by a vote on individual questions, but through representatives. Questions arise whether various mechanisms ensure that decision-making authentically answers to the people, or serves their interest (see also general will). The problem of delimiting a democratic constitution encounters these and other difficulties; critics suggest that political democracy is hollow unless accompanied by power in other spheres, especially the area of economics.

shhhhhh dick chenny might hear you. he'll kill us all. once he got his first taste of blood, his thurst can never be quenched.

Well just so you know, America isn't a democracy. It's a republic.

People shouldn't fear their government.  The government should fear it's people.

Wow , I just can not believe you said that . Why do you think many consider United States of America as the number one country  ? That is simply because USA is the greatest democracy in the world and even though the American people can not choose every person of power by voting , their ability to choose their governor and president is quite enough . Democracy has proven to be effective and there are millions of examples that can back this up .

your mom is so fat that she is a government.

Democracy is a form of government where everyone votes on each individual issue that comes up.  No democracies exist today because that system is wildly impractical on a scale larger than the Greek city states where the concept originated (although maybe the internet will one day make democracy feasible again).  The government of the united states is a democratic republic.

So you're wrong.  Democracy is a real form of government, it just isn't used anywhere these days.