Posted by
Tim Blessing on Saturday, June 07, 2008 6:08:43 PM
Democracy.
What is the meaning of democracy?
It technically means the peoples right to rule themselves.
In a small town in the Northeastern United States this may still be possible, but in large urban and suburban areas this practice is quaint.
That mean's you go to the next level, indirect democracy or a Republic. The people vote for lawmakers every so often, but do not have direct say in lawmaking.
There is the executive to consider. Some are City Managers or County Administrators, Mayors, Governors, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Kings/Queens.
Some of these people are elected, while others are appointed.
Some have management skills, but not philosophy. And, vice versa.
A very rare breed of leader is the Philosopher-King, which some say Lincoln was in his approach. Some called him a Constitutional Dictator.
The question in terms of the executive is can they get results, offend only a few people, and not go overboard in terms of being power-hungry.
Judges have been around since ancient times.
In some cases, they are elected and in some cases they are appointed.
They have a place in society in terms of dealing with the interpretation of the law, but not voiding the law.
Democracy cannot be done directly in most large societies, but it might still be practical in small towns.
In some small towns, you have an elite that runs things if people are carefree in their attitude toward's local government.
Remember, most people know who the President is, along with the US Senators, and the Governor, but these individuals have limited influence over local government.
Meaning, George W. Bush cannot tell your town's council what to do on local matters.
Apathy, the rule of thumb the lower you go in government. The Activists know what's going on, but they are a small portion of the electorate.
In essence, people practice democracy at the president's level, but not at the precinct level.