And another post to everyone else: Please discuss this topic(s) in a polite manner, without shoving your opinion down everyones throat. ;) As my Mods have said (Very well, I might add) everyone needs to calm down and take any bickering to PM, and remember to respect the other person--reguardless of their opinion. It goes both ways.

[ 06-08-2004, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Ziroc ]

Yorick, we aren't in danger of the human race dying out anytime soon.

Meg wrote:
Well, what is it then? What are the aspects of "democracy" that make it so great?

That's not correct. It's an idealised statement of the basic limitation on freedom in a free society, but shortly after Locke gave it much hullabaloo in his Treatises, it died pretty quickly in practice. You can't legally do cocaine, for instance, regardless of the fact it's a victimless crime -- same is true with prostitution.

Besides, under a pure democracy (which no nation has, and which you can only find in some small villages), this "free so long as I don't hurt others" rule would quickly die as well. Why? Well, democracy means "majority rule." Under that rule, the first thing that starts happening is the majority start deciding what's proper and what's not -- and passing laws to require those forms of behavior.

In fact, true democracy quickly becomes mob rule without setting limits. Such as a constitution.

But, if you feel differently, feel free to educate me about the law and political forms a bit.

On a personal note, I offer you this link to a summary of a really good book that you can order from Amazon for about $8 (mere shillings to you, what with the dollar being so weak these days). This is a wonderful read that you might find interesting.
http://www.westegg.com/unmaintained/...iends.html#two

Well, what is it then?
Every four years or so we vote for one of two parties which are, in the greater scheme of things, ideologically identical. Having done our bit for democracy, we then let the civil service get on with running the country.

What are the aspects of "democracy" that make it so great?
The time it takes any policy to be put into practice is greater than the length of an average cabinet ministers time in office. By keeping the cabinet tied up in politics we are stopping them from interfering with the serious business of government.

Oh, you meant our representative federal republic system? Okay, just checking. It's not democracy, though.

I was talking about the UK, which is neither federal nor a republic and which has had this system since 1659.

[ 06-08-2004, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Meg ]

Do tell. What is their system, then?

Every four years or so we vote for one of two parties which are, in the greater scheme of things, ideologically identical. Having done our bit for democracy, we then let the civil service get on with running the country.

Seriously though, the country is divided into constituencies. The voters in each constituency vote for an MP. Each MP is entitled to a 'seat' in the house of commons. The leader of the party who win the most seats gets to play golf with George Bush.

[ 06-08-2004, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Meg ]

No, no, I meant what is the UK's system? I'm curious. (SORRY -- just saw your edit).

So, that system sounds sorta republican to me. How are they not a republic?

Sounds like a lot of trouble just for a game of golf. Can they go mountain biking with him if they prefer?

[ 06-08-2004, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

That is the UKs system. It differs from the US system in that the constituencies have no independence and the PM is not head of state, just head of government.
It is not a republic because the Monarchy retain a symbolic position of head of state, even though they have had no political power since 1649.

[ 06-08-2004, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: Dirty Meg ]

How about one of you starting a 'Democracy' thread or somesuch? This one is way off the mark of the original topic now.