Should Democracy be compulsory?

Philippines
April 29, 2007 10:52pm CST
I came across this question on one of the games that i play online, its a strategy game wherein it has something to do with politics. On the many questions it gives, this one sticks on me. The hundred years or so we have experienced & known democracy as a "forma pricipia" to run government, we have seen what people can do on it. During our lifetime we've seen its seemingly staunch opposite, the demise of communism despite the utopic principles it bring, (it goes to show man will never achieve perfection governing himself or his environment?). We have also realized (not to all by all means) the condition it brings to the populace & its neighbors, be it as a country or community. Then, Democracy as it is so revered as to its stands against others forms of governance & had proven to bring satisfactory expectations, then should we call to have Democracy be compulsory? "the world is weary of statesmen whom democracy has degraded into politicians" - Benjamin Disraeli "At the bottom of all tributes paid to democracy is the little man, walking into the little booth, with a little pencil, making a little cross, on a little bit of paper" - Gilbert Keith Chesterton To the one that advised him to set up democracy in Sparta, "Pray" said Lycurgus, "do you first set a democracy in your house?" - Lycurgus Whats your opinion.
2 responses
• United States
30 Apr 07
first, democracy has to be clearly defined. the USA is not a true democracy. it is a democratic republic. the diffrerence being we now vote for people to speak for us, when in a true democracy, the system would allow all to vote on all effected issues. i say effected because many issues would be local and/or regional.have you ever noticed how many people say the gov't doesn't listen to the people? corporate america has been able to groom it that way. why do lawyers write the laws? why the confusion and loop holes? i could go on............
1 person likes this
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Thats good view there bigtoe, i believe US did not invented democracy & also is not the best champion of it, somehow it only has made it famous or rather infamous. Welcome to myLot bigtoe, keep up the responses & understand the process, we will all be there...together what we basically achieved for ... & more. Thanks for the response.
1 May 07
good topic lonewoulfe! i'm new here but i like this sort of thing, gets my interest. here in scotland we have elections coming up real soon. We have one of the fairer (in my opinion) systems around at the min where u get 2 votes, the first is a regional vote the second is for the constituency. ANYWAYS, even though this system allows for more choice and less party politics there is still a usually low turnout (wikipdeia say 49.4%) so ppl arnt turned on by a more fair system. in my opinion? well forcing ppl to vote would actually cloud democracy in the sense that their vote would depend who forced them.. but the complete lack of enthusiasm even in scotland makes me feel you should either shut up or vote then moan about it. so there you go, too me a while to say so but i think it should be free. vote and moan or dont and shut up :p dav
• Philippines
1 May 07
Yep, how we all cry out loud advocating democracy but its just a sad story especially in my country where vote buying is as rampant as the grass on the prairie that even our countries top justice secretary (minister) even speaks of buying votes on the national TV. I wish we really improve, for now election is the sorriest declaration of events of our political system, so embarrassing really.
• Philippines
1 May 07
By the way welcome to mylot. Just keep on responding & don't be intimidated by the tycoons here, they were once were like us too. Message me if your in for this for some time, so we could help each other. Thanks.