The changing of Democracy Essay - 1124 Words

As centuries have progressed and cultures have evolved, the ideas of government and democracy have evolved as well. The economic and cultural status of a time period affects how people perceive their government. Living in a capitalist nation does not necessarily mean that democracy is non-existent. However, it does not mean that democracy in the nation has been fully formed and developed. The capitalist economy is altering the beliefs of what it means to be a democratic nation. Democracy gives power to the people. However, cultural and economic aspects of different time periods have given different meanings to the word democracy and who can participate in it. Democracy is not a static idea. It changes as the culture and opinions of the†¦show more content†¦The idea that women were less worthy than men prevented women’s right to participate in the democratic government. However, during the 1920’s, a time of economic prosperity and wealth, new ideas developed and women began to gain the suffrage they desired. The new and changing ideas of democracy were met with harsh criticism. However, because of the changing world, the democratic government was forced to change. Much as previous economic changes have affected democratic government, capitalism is adding and changing the beliefs involved with democracy. Capitalism allows people to participate in a free market economy, buying and selling their goods without being involved with the government. Capitalism allows increased competition between businesses, which leads to â€Å"increased quality and decreased prices to the consumer. Capitalism tends to reward the business that produces the highest quality item for the lowest price† (Johnson). Not only is this beneficial to the producer, who earns money, but to the average consumer, who gets high quality goods for lower prices. In a more advanced economy such as this, â€Å"the work may really be divided into a much greater number of parts, than in those of a more trifling nature† (Smith). The capitalist economy allows for businesses to hire people who each do a specialized job. If each person has a different job that lets them do one sp ecific activity more people can be hired. The division of laborShow MoreRelatedJunior Research Paper: the Changing Face of Democracy1465 Words   |  6 PagesThe Changing Face of Democracy The nation we knew as the United States is no more. The fair, war-weary republic that weve all known and loved has been replaced by a tired war hungry, that has been so split that it is hardly worthy of being called the United States. But what happened, one might ask. When looking into the past, the major turning point occurred in the year 2000. In that year, the dynastic candidate George W. Bush was elected president, and since has reigned with an iron willRead MoreDemocracy, the Electoral College and Other Methods of Election681 Words   |  3 Pagesaround the world believe that the United States, with its political and justice systems, is the strongest democracy in the world. However, the United States of America possesses many defects in its political system. Many Americans also believe that the United States of America is the most solid democracy today. However, America’s election system contradicts the ideas of a role-model democracy. American citizens elect the President of the United States indirectly through the Electoral College. SomeRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Proportional Representation (PR)1175 Words   |  5 PagesThe results of recent elections in Britain raised many significant questions about current political situation in the country, particularly concerning electoral system. Therefore the problem of â€Å"crisis† in democracy of Britain was the subject of wide speculation among analysts and political scientists over last years. In addition it is widely recognized that the traditional electoral system in the UK-first past the post- is the main cause of that crisis and should be replaced as part of a plan toRead MoreRegime, Religion and Politics670 Words   |  3 Pagesphilosophers, but it actually means th e connection between human beings and God or gods, or whatever they consider sacred. On the other hand, there is another crucial factor called â€Å"Democracy†, which is by far the most challenging form of the state - both for politicians and for individuals. The term â€Å"democracy† comes from Greek language and it means â€Å" rule by the people†. In this essay, I will mention about how religions and politics are intertwined these days, and the ways goverments try toRead MoreGovernment Of The People By Abraham Lincoln1330 Words   |  6 PagesINTRO Democracy is eloquently described by Abraham Lincoln as government of the people, by the people, for the people . The quote by Lincoln though, is perhaps the most straightforward, compelling explanation ensuring that even the laymen understand the fundamentals of the term. The subject matter that is required in this essay is to determine differences in the quality of democracy. This is regarded as the dependant variable, which is the outcome that needs explanation. This can be explainedRead MoreDemocracy, Over The Years, Has Been Both Praised And Criticized1587 Words   |  7 PagesDemocracy, over the years, has been both praised and criticized as the central form of government in the United States. After the most recent election, political tensions have been high throughout the country leading to an increase in the discussion of politics in public and especially on college campuses. I have interviewed ten students on the UCSB campus about the role of democracy in the United Stat es and if it is a good representation of a stable form of government. My interviewees’ opinionsRead MoreDemocracy949 Words   |  4 Pages112 American Government Professor: Dr. Moon Park Term Paper 03/17/15 Is United States of America a Democratic country? Democracy has been defined as a government structure which people are involved in decision making about it either directly or through by the representatives whom they have chosen by open vote. In a perfect sensing world ideal of perfect democracy could be described as all citizens are well informed in every topics of issues occurring around them such as human abuse, employmentRead MoreBureaucracy Is An Efficient System Bureaucracy1715 Words   |  7 Pagesadministration, bureaucracy plays a major role in how many institutions function however, tensions arise between democracies and bureaucracies as a result. Bureaucracy and democracy are conflicting forces due to the difference of ideals between the two systems because of: hierarchical demands, authoritarian arrangement and demoralization present in a bureaucracy. Democracy is changing as a whole due to the impacts of globalization which ultimately clashes with bureaucracy resulting in: the loss ofRead MoreLeave it Alone Essay1181 W ords   |  5 Pagesgave each American the equality and opportunity the founding fathers sought was a democratic one. Democracy is defined as: 1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. (â€Å"Democracy†) The building blocks of the democratic government allow the people to elect their senators and representativesRead MoreReview of How Democratic Is the Us Constitution809 Words   |  4 PagesBook Review Of How Democratic Is the American Constitution By Robert A. Dahl Context The American Constitution, seen by Americans as guiding light and bedrock of civil rights and democracy is as Robert A. Dahl argues not so democratic and does not guard the rights of individuals. P.18 Dahl places his work asking fundamental questions as to the use and application of the constitution in the modern world, not as an attack as Gordon S. Wood from New York Review of Books clearly states on the