Changes

== Debate over the merits of democracy ==

== Debate over the merits of democracy ==

While a [[direct democracy]] in the manner of the Athenians is probably infeasible in a modern [[nation-state]] comprised of millions of citizens, there continues to be debate among conservatives as to whether [[representative democracy]] is a desirable system.  [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]], who could be considered the father of both modern democracy and [[totalitarianism]], believed that in a democracy the government should be guided only by what he called the [[General Will]].  Other thinkers of the [[French]] [[Enlightenment]] described a [[republic]] as a system in which the law applies equally to the government and the people, a concept abbreviated in the [[21st century]] by the phrase [[rule of law]].  Most contemporary thinkers would identify [[universal suffrage]] and the right of any citizen to argue for a change in existing law as desirable features of democracy; but there is some question as to whether the rule of law can be indefinitely sustained in a system with these features.  [[Thomas Jefferson]] believed that it could so long as the people were educated, and thus devoted his post-presidency to founding the [[University of Virginia]].  Nonetheless, property continued to be a proxy for education throughout the [[antebellum period]] and Jefferson's home state of [[Virginia]] only abolished [[property qualifications for voting]] in 1851, years after any other state. Another famous American said that a republic could last until "the people find out they have the right to vote themselves funds from the public treasury," an explicit criticism of the [[welfare state]], which most conservatives feel is an abuse of the [[U. S. Constitution]]'s [[Necessary and Proper Clause]].

While a [[direct democracy]] in the manner of the Athenians is probably infeasible in a modern [[nation-state]] comprised of millions of citizens, there continues to be debate among conservatives as to whether [[representative democracy]] is a desirable system.  [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]], who could be considered the father of both modern democracy and [[totalitarianism]], believed that in a democracy the government should be guided only by what he called the [[General Will]].  Other thinkers of the [[French]] [[Enlightenment]] described a [[republic]] as a system in which the law applies equally to the government and the people, a concept abbreviated in the [[21st century]] by the phrase [[rule of law]].  Most contemporary thinkers would identify [[universal suffrage]] and the right of any citizen to argue for a change in existing law as desirable features of democracy; but there is some question as to whether the rule of law can be indefinitely sustained in a system with these features.  [[Thomas Jefferson]] believed that it could so long as the people were educated, and thus devoted his post-presidency to founding the [[University of Virginia]].  Nonetheless, property continued to be a proxy for education throughout the [[antebellum period]] and Jefferson's home state of [[Virginia]] only abolished [[property qualifications for voting]] in 1851, years after any other state. Another (probably apocryphal) quote attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler says that a republic can only last until the people find out that they can vote themselves public funds. This would be considered a [[welfare state]], which most conservatives feel is an abuse of the [[U. S. Constitution]]'s [[Necessary and Proper Clause]].

Democracy may have its problems; an uneducated populace, for example, is the bane of any democracy, since unless people know what they need, they can not properly elect people to serve these needs.  Other problems emerge from a capricious electorate, which caused [[Winston Churchill]] to remark that, "Democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the other forms that have been tried," a quote which eloquently notes that, despite its problems, democracy almost universally provides for peace and prosperity.  

Democracy may have its problems; an uneducated populace, for example, is the bane of any democracy, since unless people know what they need, they can not properly elect people to serve these needs.  Other problems emerge from a capricious electorate, which caused [[Winston Churchill]] to remark that, "Democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the other forms that have been tried," a quote which eloquently notes that, despite its problems, democracy almost universally provides for peace and prosperity.  

Majoritarian systems are, however, problematic in that, in theory, they permit a majority to debase the welfare of a minority. [[Socialist]]s argue that a high degree of socio-economic equality is required for real political equality, but also contend that solidarity and fraternity may be sufficient to overcome the distorting effects of unequal wealth and enact pro-labor policies.

Majoritarian systems are, however, problematic in that, in theory, they permit a majority to debase the welfare of a minority. [[Socialist]]s argue that a high degree of socio-economic equality is required for real political equality, but also contend that solidarity and fraternity may be sufficient to overcome the distorting effects of unequal wealth and enact pro-labor policies.

Democracy may also create the illusion that [[truth]] belongs to the [[people]], which is not the case because truth only belongs to [[God]]. It should be also noted for its allowing to elect un-Christian leaders in a normally Christian Nation.

Democracy may also create the illusion that [[truth]] belongs to the [[people]], which is not the case because truth only belongs to [[God]]. It should be also noted that democracy allows un-Christian leaders to gain power in a normally Christian nation.

== Evolution of Anglo-American democracy ==

== Evolution of Anglo-American democracy ==

The United States, Britain, Canada and many other countries mostly utilize a [[first past the post system]] for elections.  The highest vote-getter wins. This limits the number of [[political parties]] and helps to stabilize the system, in contrast to democracies which use [[proportional representation]] where a party winning 5% of the vote is guaranteed a seat. [[Italy]], [[Germany]], [[France]], and [[Israel]] have at times had over 10 parties represented in their legislatures.   

The United States, Britain, Canada and many other countries mostly utilize a [[first past the post system]] for elections.  The highest vote-getter wins. This limits the number of [[political parties]] and helps to stabilize the system, in contrast to democracies which use [[proportional representation]] where a party winning 5% of the vote is guaranteed a seat. [[Italy]], [[Germany]], [[France]], and [[Israel]] have at times had over 10 parties represented in their legislatures.   

==Furtherreading==

==Furtherreading==

* Dahl, Robert. ''On Democracy'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Yale-Nota-Bene/dp/0300084552/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search], by a leading theorist

* Dahl, Robert. ''On Democracy'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Yale-Nota-Bene/dp/0300084552/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search], by a leading theorist

* Dunn, John. ''Democracy: A History'' (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-History-John-Dunn/dp/0871139316/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-8 excerpt and text search]  

* Dunn, John. ''Democracy: A History'' (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-History-John-Dunn/dp/0871139316/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-8 excerpt and text search]  

* Held, David. ''Models of Democracy'' (3rd ed. (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Models-Democracy-3rd-David-Held/dp/0804754721/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search], useful textbook

* Held, David. ''Models of Democracy'' (3rd ed. (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Models-Democracy-3rd-David-Held/dp/0804754721/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263246597&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search], useful textbook