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01-19-2004, 06:43 PM | #1 |
Entmoot Attorney-General,
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What defines a democracy?
de•moc•ra•cy[list=a][*]government by the people; especially : rule of the majority[*] 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[/list=a]
What is democracy? Which countries are democracies? In conjunction with the elections in Russia last year, JerseyDevil and I discussed this topic. I claimed that Russia should not be considered democratic while JD said it should (though he thinks the country is going down the opposite path of democracy and should not be called a true democracy). Russia is not like other dictatorships where you can't vote freely. The Russians are free to vote for whatever and whoever they want, so in that perspective Russia is a democratic country. Though, as I pointed out to JD, in a democratic country other parties must be able to spread their political views and tell people that they exist. People must be informed that there are alternative parties to vote for. In Russia, the Putin's supporting party uses its power to make it very difficult for the opposition to speak out. Newspapers and TV broadcasts are being censored and only one-sided information is able to reach the Russian people. They don't hear much about the opposition, but they do hear a lot about Putin's party which is glorified. The media is all but neutral. How are the Russians able to go to the ballot boxes and vote if they don't know what parties other than Putin's stand for? As I see it, government control over the media makes Russia an undemocratic country, there is no freedom of speech there. A side note is that after the Russian elections, Putin's party became very powerful and can basically change the constitution after Putin’s own will. And he is expected to change it so that he doesn't have to resign after a certain amount of time, but can get re-elected over and over and over… Though while Russia is becoming more and more undemocratic, Turkey (which like Russia has censored the opposition, at least in the past) is doing its best to democratize itself so that the country can join the EU as soon as possible. Should countries like Russia or Turkey be looked upon as democracies? Although the people can vote freely and won't be arrested for having different opinions, there is no such thing as freedom of speech. Isn't that the most fundamental thing in a democracy?
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An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻ Last edited by Jonathan : 01-19-2004 at 06:53 PM. |
01-19-2004, 06:51 PM | #2 |
Elven Maiden
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I think I would agree and say that it is not a democracy, if it is as you say. What that sounds like is basically the people re-affirming that Putin is the leader, to make them feel special I guess. Doesn't sound like they have much of a choice. Chosing between one guy doesn't sound like democracy.
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01-19-2004, 06:58 PM | #3 |
I am Freddie/UNDERCOVER/ Founder of The Great Continent of Entmoot
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As I said - I think Russia is a democracy - to a point. It does seem to be going backward - instead of forward though. I was watching Russian news for about a week - it was all fluff stuff. Him opening up a library or doing an archelogical dig or something like that. Never once did they question his policies or anything or have any in depth reporting on him.
What I find interesting right now is Iran. The hardliners are preventing all the moderates - who actually currently control parliament - from running for reelection. But the hardlines have far more control over the government. There are daily demonstrations and a sit in at their parliament. The hardliners say they will relook at the moderates and see who and if any will be allowed to run. Where is Iran on the democracy scale?
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Come back! Come back! To Mordor we will take you! "The only thing better than a great plan is implementing a great plan" - JerseyDevil "If everyone agreed with me all the time, everything would be just fine"- JerseyDevil AboutNewJersey.com New Jersey MessageBoard Another Tolkien Forum Memorial to the Twin Towers New Jersey Map Fellowship of the Messageboard Legend of the Jersey Devil Support New Jersey's Liberty Tower Peacefire.org AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide Last edited by jerseydevil : 01-19-2004 at 07:00 PM. |
01-20-2004, 12:47 AM | #4 |
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Democracy is when I take over your country and you all worship me as your goddess. Don't you all want democracy?
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01-20-2004, 01:05 AM | #5 |
High King of Númenórë
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What defines Democracy by Dúnedain:
The fact that I can tell you to F$&* Off and then go about my business. To me that is democracy. Yours Sincerely, Dúnedain
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'Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!' - And those were the words that Elendil spoke when he came up out of the Sea on the wings of the wind: 'Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.' 'Then Tuor arrayed himself in the hauberk, and set the helm upon his head, and he girt himself with the sword; black were sheath and belt with clasps of silver. Thus armed he went forth from Turgon's hall, and stood upon the high terraces of Taras in the red light of the sun. None were there to see him, as he gazed westward, gleaming in silver and gold, and he knew not that in that hour he appeared as one of the Mighty of the West, and fit to be father of the kings of the Kings of Men beyond the Sea, as it was indeed his doom to be; but in the taking of those arms a change came upon Tuor son of Huor, and his heart grew great within him. And as he stepped down from the doors the swans did him reverence, and plucking each a great feather from their wings they proffered them to him, laying their long necks upon the stone before his feet; and he took the seven feathers and set them in the crest of his helm, and straightway the swans arose and flew north in the sunset, and Tuor saw them no more.' -Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin "Oh. Forgive me, fairest of all males of Entmoot...Back down, all ye other wannabe fairest males! Dunedain is the fairest!" --Linaewen |
01-20-2004, 06:41 AM | #6 | |
Elf Lord
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This recalls an Anarchist poster that appeared when I was a student:
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01-20-2004, 09:29 AM | #7 | |
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01-20-2004, 09:31 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Dúnedain, F$&k Off .... *goes about her business* |
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01-20-2004, 11:18 AM | #9 | |
Elf Lord
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01-20-2004, 11:50 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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01-20-2004, 05:20 PM | #11 | |
Elven Maiden
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01-20-2004, 05:30 PM | #12 | |
I am Freddie/UNDERCOVER/ Founder of The Great Continent of Entmoot
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Quote:
Do you have elections every year?
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Come back! Come back! To Mordor we will take you! "The only thing better than a great plan is implementing a great plan" - JerseyDevil "If everyone agreed with me all the time, everything would be just fine"- JerseyDevil AboutNewJersey.com New Jersey MessageBoard Another Tolkien Forum Memorial to the Twin Towers New Jersey Map Fellowship of the Messageboard Legend of the Jersey Devil Support New Jersey's Liberty Tower Peacefire.org AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide |
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01-20-2004, 10:55 PM | #13 | ||
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In Canada, the Prime Minister's term is up after 5 years, but usually, he calls the election when the time is right, often around 4 years.
There's also the rare federal referendum. Provincially, I believe the Premier's term is also 5 years in length, and similar timing is employed when calling elections. (Correct me if I'm wrong. I've only been old enough to vote in 1 provincial election.) There's the odd referendum here and there. (If you're in BC, make that pointless referendum.) Municipally, it really depends on your city. I don't know how long a mayor's term is, but I'm sure it's the same for all the cities in a province. There are votes on bylaws every now and then too. Edit: And school board members.
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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01-21-2004, 05:13 AM | #14 | |
Elf Lord
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Quote:
Voter apathy is an indication of how irrelevant most people regard politics to their lives. It's also undemocratic. Maybe we should be like Australia and force people to vote... |
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01-21-2004, 07:59 PM | #15 | |
I am Freddie/UNDERCOVER/ Founder of The Great Continent of Entmoot
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This is what is happening in Iran...
Quote:
The reformers, as does the majority of Iran - wants closer ties to the US. I am hoping that this will come about. By the way - as I have pointed out many times before - why aren't the liberals outside the UN demonstrating against the hardliner tactics? Why aren't people outraged by this? Why isn't the UN saying anything to Iran? Iran is a partial democracy, on the steps of tru e democracy - the reformers can make it a true democracy and bring freedom to the people of Iran. We should be outraged by the hardliners tactics to prevent freedom and take away a vote. Instead I hear people saying about how the US has to allow a hardliner to be elected in Iraq in order for them to believe that we were not after iraq's oil. If there is such outrage at the US all over the world - why isn't there outrage at this? Now time for French News. [edit]It's funny - French news had about this and how the US is concerned about is going on in Iran - then they continued to state that about a couple dozen reformists are barred from the elections. Okay - is it a couple of dozen or 3,000? There is a big difference. This is the type of reporting I constantly see on French News. I have a feeling it's closer to the 200 and 3,000 number since I have seen that on multiple news sites.
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Come back! Come back! To Mordor we will take you! "The only thing better than a great plan is implementing a great plan" - JerseyDevil "If everyone agreed with me all the time, everything would be just fine"- JerseyDevil AboutNewJersey.com New Jersey MessageBoard Another Tolkien Forum Memorial to the Twin Towers New Jersey Map Fellowship of the Messageboard Legend of the Jersey Devil Support New Jersey's Liberty Tower Peacefire.org AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide Last edited by jerseydevil : 01-21-2004 at 08:50 PM. |
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02-10-2004, 06:43 AM | #16 |
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http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/eu...kin/index.html
With the Presidential elections in Russia nearing, the only candidate who strongly questions Putin's policies have mysteriously disappeared. Did Putin decide to get him out of the way to ensure his already more than certain victory?
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02-11-2004, 01:50 PM | #17 |
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I was wondering about that too. His disappearance was at such a convenient time. But then yesterday I heard he was in Kiev all the time?
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02-11-2004, 02:27 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
Last edited by Radagast The Brown : 03-14-2004 at 03:18 PM. |
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02-11-2004, 02:51 PM | #19 |
Entmoot Attorney-General,
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Yes, I just read he was on vacation in Ukraine, visiting some friends in Kiev. He had his cellular phone turned off . He found out he was 'missing' by reading about his disappearance in the newspapers.
[edit] It's good he wasn't assassinated or anything but it still doesn't mean much. Putin is going to win the elections and there is nothing his opponents can do since Putin controls the media.
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An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻ Last edited by Jonathan : 02-11-2004 at 04:13 PM. |
03-14-2004, 03:16 PM | #20 |
Entmoot Attorney-General,
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The presidential election in Russia is over and the votes are being counted. It looks like Putin is going to win big with about two thirds of the votes. How surprising
A real surprise was that the Communist Party's candidate got quite many votes, about 15%. When is Russia going to turn into a real democracy?
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