Friday, January 3, 2020

The Concept Of American Democracy - 1699 Words

Democracy is perhaps the most elusive concept of all times. But if there has to be something more elusive, it will surely be the concept of American democracy. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln is known to have written:  ¨As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master †¦ This expresses my idea of democracy. Whoever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. ¨ The initial understanding of American democracy takes the form of an antithesis of English colonialism and slavery. Based on this understanding, there is little doubt that the foundations of the  ´greatest democracy on earth ´ are to be found in the darkest, the most blatantly majoritarian and atrocious times. There is little disagreement among constitutional†¦show more content†¦How does the American concept of democracy reconcile with the  ¨rule by the people, of the people and for the people ¨ conception of democracy today? While America truly is exceptional in its dynamism, it is also shockingly imperfect in ways that most true patriots refuse to accept. ItÅ› greatness and freeness is by no means premised on empirical facts. If anything, the situation is otherwise. Freedom House, is an independent watchdog that rates countries based on their civil and political rights accessibility to the citizens. According to their 2017 report, America scored the highest mark on each front, just like many other European countries, but it ranks much lower according to the aggregate score, which takes into account factors like electoral process, political pluralism and participation, and functioning of government, freedom of expression and belief etc. For me, as a foreigner, the idea of American democracy can be better understood as a culture, rather than a system of government. As someone not fully versed with the specifics of the political history and the intricacies of the electoral system, I view American democracy as a set up characterized by three things: An unprecedented level of individual autonomy A deep distrust for the government The concept of limited government (which has increasingly become a contentious feature of American governance) Based on theseShow MoreRelatedJudicial Review: The American Concept of Democracy671 Words   |  3 PagesJudicial Review Judicial review should remain the sole prerogative of the courts, which only a constitutional amendment can nullify or alter. Furthermore, the courts should always be guided in its exercise by judicial restraint. The American concept of democracy provides that no branch of government shall be more powerful and uncontrolled than the other branches (Lutzenberger, 2012). Judicial review is the power of the courts to oversee and prevent the legislative and executive branches from becomingRead MoreRoots of American Democracy Essay642 Words   |  3 Pagessources. More specifically, the American form of Democracy stretch back beyond the formation of the United States, having origin in ancient Greek thinking, the Enlightenment, as well as the English and their injustice, The United States owes its birth as a country to many areas of influence. The Ancient Greeks were the first to put the power of a nation in the hands of the average citizen, they created the idea of the democratic government, practiced as a direct democracy. Voting, political assemblyRead MoreThe National Identity Of Being Amercian Essay779 Words   |  4 PagesOne 100 years from now, will Americans still have a sense of national identity ? Joonkyung(David) Chi, Class - 11:30 The national identity of being Amercian will be the concept of everyone. A. 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